FIA reveals ambitious target to make F1 cars another 80kg lighter

FIA sees progress in 2026 chassis rules

The 2026 Formula 1 regulations were introduced around the FIA’s “nimble car concept”, but the chassis changes have largely been overshadowed by debate over power units and energy management. Nikolas Tombazis, the FIA’s single-seater director, nevertheless believes the new machinery has made meaningful progress.

Tombazis says the most important chassis gain is the ability to follow more closely. “I think probably yes, although one should never assume that the job is finished. But I do think cars follow each other more closely,” he told media.

His comments come as the FIA continues to address criticism surrounding the wider 2026 reset. The organisation’s explanation of the governance limits behind that debate can be found in its account of the 2026 regulation issues.

Dirty air remains a key test

According to the FIA, the effect of dirty air has been reduced to a level comparable with the first year of the previous ruleset. Tombazis also believes the regulations are more resistant to aerodynamic solutions that could undermine their intended effect.

He pointed to lessons learned from the previous generation, when front-wing endplates, floor edges and the aerodynamic components around the front wheels significantly worsened wake characteristics. “The various aerodynamic solutions they’ve had, we haven’t found something that has broken the concept,” Tombazis said.

That does not mean the 2026 cars are easy to drive. Tombazis considers their remaining challenges a positive, arguing that Formula 1 machinery should still test the world’s best drivers rather than become accessible to anyone. At the same time, higher ride heights have made the cars less physically punishing than the extremely low and stiff ground-effect machines of last season.

FIA targets a bigger reduction for 2031

Tombazis is satisfied with the current chassis package, but he does not view it as the final destination. The next major regulations are scheduled for 2031, or potentially 2030 with sufficient support, and the FIA wants another substantial reduction in size and weight.

“I would like us to be another 80 kilos lighter, and maybe still a bit shorter and a bit smaller in the future,” Tombazis said. For now, he regards the reversal of Formula 1’s long-running move towards heavier cars as a significant achievement: “This is the first time I think Formula 1 cars have become lighter since probably the year 2000.”