The weight of the current Formula 1 cars — and many generations before it — has been a subject of controversy among fans of motorsport. After many generations of F1 car, however, current FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) president [autotag]Mohammed Ben Sulayem[/autotag] intends to do something about it.
Sulayem spoke to German publication Motorsport Total and said that he aims to ensure that F1 cars become lighter in 2026. The engine regulations for 2026 have been set, but discussions about chassis regulations are continuing. Sulayem pointed to his rally car experience as a main reason he wants to ensure the change.
Here is what he said about the effect of heavier cars:
“I’ve driven rallies myself. Give me everything, but please no heavy car! That always bothered me. Lighter cars are better and I know what I’m talking about. If the weight is heavier, the suspension is compromised, the brakes don’t work as well, the tyres wear out more quickly. And more weight is more dangerous in a crash.”
As it stands, the current minimum weight for an F1 car is around 1759 lbs — about 437 pounds heavier than last year’s limit. Sulayem told Motorsport Total that he and his team with the FIA want a lighter chassis and better-sounding engines and that it is their decision on whether to implement these things whether F1 president Stefano Domenicali wants to do so or not.
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