The 2026 season is in full swing and the FIA has come out with new regulations for the season, with the goal of switching from regular engines to electric and hybrid engines. This change is big for the sport, as historically teams have put a lot of work into designing V6 engines as well as designing cars around these engines. Now with electric engines, fans can expect the car designs to change.
Zachary Jones, automotive teacher and racing fan, explains why teams will have to change the car’s design.
“In the very basics, (the teams) are adding weight with batteries but reducing drag and friction since it’s powered electronically,” Jones said.
The recovery process and equipment such as the ERS systems can also change designs by weighing down the vehicle more. The official F1 explanation of these changes mention that the engine power will now be 50% supplied electronically. Additionally, the cars will now be able to restore some energy when braking, similar to Teslas.
BBC adds that the electrical part of the engines will now produce up to 470bhp which is about 3 times as much as last year. These new changes will drastically influence the new car designs seen this season and in future years.
From a fan’s perspective, these changes are always fun to see, as it takes time for regulations to get fully worked out.
Vedh Barre, junior and F1 fan, dives into how the sport is changing from an outside view.

“Right now engine reliability and types seem to be a keen talking point due to the new regulations requiring a 50/50 split between combustion and battery power,” Barre said.
However, like all changes, this year’s new regulations have proved some controversy.
“It has caused a dilemma for the fans; on one hand F1 is a motor sport and the introduction of new technologies is very important,” Barre said. “On the other hand, many fans feel that it should be a combustion engine only sport because that’s what Formula One is. It’s a motor racing sport, not battery racing.”
Formula one mentioned that this set of regulations is not just about new technologies, but also because of the environment. These new rules are a major step in F1’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions. Moreover, the fuel they are using is recycled from carbon recycling and waste.
Despite the discontent, with the end of the break upcoming, and with teams making changes prior to the Miami Grand Prix, fans are excited to see where these new regulations will take them.
“The change in F1 is always an interesting one. The first years of a new regulation set are always fun to see the outcome of as many factors play into it,” Barre said.