2026 Formula One Season Thread

[Paul1964]

The tyres are deliberately to be fragile so as not to last a full race distance so as to artificially add "strategy" alongside the rule to use at least 2 tyre compounds in the race.

When the fragility rule first came in they were too fragile, they are better now but still are required not to be able to last a full race distance.

 

[JustinePaula]

No, no, no, that I know, I am not asking for 200 laps no parole.. No... But what I am saying is that I think the compounds as they are/were/will be is maybe a shade incorrect...

The tyres sure as new are brilliant, loads of overtaking, yay, and happy days, then all of a sardine, yikes, I have nada, dead dogs, about as useful as suntan lotion on a submarine..

Maybe a tweak to the compound so that instead of 4 overtakes on a set of tyres, you get 12-16 out of a set... God, no pitstops, would rather watch color bars and test tone for 2 hours..

 

[Matt2012]

Bring back re-fuelling 🙂

 

[JustinePaula]

Would be good but run-offs etc I guess would make it impossible

I am sure a tweak to the track is possible, but watch the videos on the u-tubes, and insane, it makes sense... Better than the beige the FIA's favorite vanilla is a great flavour architect, Telke.. But we can only hope!!!

 

[JustinePaula]

Bring back re-fuelling 🙂

I will die on the hill defending many things, pineapple on pizza, 80's was the best decade for music, cars in the 80's in F1 were the best, Mr Sir J Stewart and the late Mr A Senna are the only 2 GOATS... Refueling in F1, is not a hill I care to defend, it had it's place, but it is too dangerous.. A separate refueling zone away from the tyre change zone, maybe... But a 2 for 1, like a 2 for 1 curry special, sounds great until you confuse signals...

 

[Paul1964]

Bring back re-fuelling 🙂

Ask Jos Verstappen about that.

 

[headlessmike]

Ask Jos Verstappen about that.
View attachment 2627771

I have the perfect solution! The cars carry the full load of 100L as now, but can only draw fuel from a secondary tank that has to be topped up manually through an internal system from the main reservoir during pit stops or at the start of the race. To compensate for the extra weight and to reintroduce the added tactics of refueling, the electric component of the hybrid system is given more power/recovery when the secondary fuel tank has less fuel in it. This way we get the best of both worlds: another layer of tactics and safety from not having the fuel leave the car during a race. And I reckon it's just gimmicky enough for everyone to love the idea!

 

[Paul1964]

I have the perfect solution! The cars carry the full load of 100L as now, but can only draw fuel from a secondary tank that has to be topped up manually through an internal system from the main reservoir during pit stops or at the start of the race. To compensate for the extra weight and to reintroduce the added tactics of refueling, the electric component of the hybrid system is given more power/recovery when the secondary fuel tank has less fuel in it. This way we get the best of both worlds: another layer of tactics and safety from not having the fuel leave the car during a race. And I reckon it's just gimmicky enough for everyone to love the idea!

It's complicated enough for the FIA 😁

 

[JustinePaula]

Yes, the FIA, the sharpest tools in the shed, they don't work there...

 

[CWallace]

Interesting video from LawVS this morning about FOM setting up a "Strategic Reserve" of tracks that could be drop-in replacements if an event cannot be run as scheduled for whatever reason. There is some concern that Qatar and Abu Dhabi may not be able to be run if the shenanigans in the Persian Gulf extend through the Summer and as the four Middle East tracks make up a significant amount of the hosting fees paid to FOM, losing all four with no replacements will mean not only a haircut for the FOM, but also for the teams (whose receive a percentage of those fees as part of their annual payout).

The two most-obvious choices would be Istanbul Park and the Algarve International Circuit as both are formally returning to the calendar in 2027 so they are in the best position to be readied for the end of 2026. And both would have suitable winter weather to host an event compared to tracks more north in Europe (for example, Silverstone).

Another option could be the Sepang International Circuit, which has maintained an FIA Grade 1 status since it left the calendar. While the Malaysian government continues to feel that the returns from hosting an annual Grand Prix do not cover the costs, a one-off event at the end of this year with a significantly-reduced hosting fee might convince them to allow it. The circuit is also formally sponsored by the state oil company PETRONAS, so there is a direct tie-in with the PETRONAS-Mercedes AMG team (who will likely have secured both the World Drivers Championship and Constructor's Championship by then). And as it would be Summer in the Southern Hemisphere, weather is not a concern (and hey, the heavy rains are a feature!).

A possible wild-card would be Thailand, which is very motivated to join The Circus as soon as 2028. While the current plan for the proposed F1 Grand Prix is a street race held in a suburb of Bangkok and therefore not an option for 2026, the Buriram International Circuit does hold both FIA and FIM Grade 1 status as it is the home of the Thai MotoGP race.

 

[pachyderm]

Interesting video from LawVS this morning about FOM setting up a "Strategic Reserve" of tracks that could be drop-in replacements if an event cannot be run as scheduled for whatever reason. There is some concern that Qatar and Abu Dhabi may not be able to be run if the shenanigans in the Persian Gulf extend through the Summer and as the four Middle East tracks make up a significant amount of the hosting fees paid to FOM, losing all four with no replacements will mean not only a haircut for the FOM, but also for the teams (whose receive a percentage of those fees as part of their annual payout).

The two most-obvious choices would be Istanbul Park and the Algarve International Circuit as both are formally returning to the calendar in 2027 so they are in the best position to be readied for the end of 2026. And both would have suitable winter weather to host an event compared to tracks more north in Europe (for example, Silverstone).

Another option could be the Sepang International Circuit, which has maintained an FIA Grade 1 status since it left the calendar. While the Malaysian government continues to feel that the returns from hosting an annual Grand Prix do not cover the costs, a one-off event at the end of this year with a significantly-reduced hosting fee might convince them to allow it. The circuit is also formally sponsored by the state oil company PETRONAS, so there is a direct tie-in with the PETRONAS-Mercedes AMG team (who will likely have secured both the World Drivers Championship and Constructor's Championship by then). And as it would be Summer in the Southern Hemisphere, weather is not a concern (and hey, the heavy rains are a feature!).

A possible wild-card would be Thailand, which is very motivated to join The Circus as soon as 2028. While the current plan for the proposed F1 Grand Prix is a street race held in a suburb of Bangkok and therefore not an option for 2026, the Buriram International Circuit does hold both FIA and FIM Grade 1 status as it is the home of the Thai MotoGP race.

They should sue the person responsible for having to cancel the other events...

 

[Apple fanboy]

They should sue the person responsible for having to cancel the other events...

I second that!

 

[TheIntruder]

The Race weighs in on the switch to V8 engines for the 2030 or 2031 season.

Mercedes is already on board, with Wolff floating the idea of a "mega-V8" with similar battery capacity and performance to what we have now, but with an ICE that generates twice the power of the current unit for a total of 1200hp. Red Bull Ford Powertrains appears to be fine with whatever and Ferrari just wants things to be cheaper (so I doubt they like Wolff's idea).

Audi, Honda and Cadillac have not yet chimed in. There will still be a not-insignificant element of electrification because otherwise F1 will look like dinosaurs running just ICE powerplants. My guess is that it will be more than the KERS days, but less than what we have now. Maybe 75/25? Will that be enough to keep Audi and Honda? That I am not sure of.

What I am sure of, however, is that Cadillac will be abandoning making a PU for the current regulations, instead continuing with Ferrari power until the new regulations come into effect.

I think this would also serve to temper whatever interest Toyota has in returning in a greater capacity than the current arrangement they have with Haas. Hybrid technology is more central to their brand identity than any other marque.

2030 is going to be a litmus test of which OEMs are truly committed to motorsports, with major changes in F1, and planned in sports car racing, requiring large investment decisions to be made soon, with those bills due at the same time.

Audi is struggling with sales, with a lineup that even their loyalists dislike. Honda is retrenching after its first annual loss in decades. GM, to its credit, has stepped up and has been very ambitious in committing to the world championships. But how strong is its will to truly be a full-fledged effort?

The ill-considered actions of certain parties, the resulting volatility, and its effects on the macroeconomic conditions can't be ignored. Few winners, and a lot of losers. Not wise for anyone to be spending extravagantly, even those who can still afford to.

Also often overlooked is the vital role that the directors of these programs play. Publicly, they mostly spew PR-speak that can be ignored, but privately, they are the ones who must sell the programs to the upper management and to the boards who give the blessings.

The people who built Audi's racing reputation through rallying and the sports car era are long gone, and the F1 effort has shown that the current bunch is not of the same caliber.

Compared to the current leadership, BMW suffered for years with poor directors who made ill-considered choices, kept under-performing partners much longer than they should have, kissed off venerable partners with nary an effort except for press releases, with the expected results.

 

[JustinePaula]

They should have Japan Japan Japan, then in the case of cancels, Japan Japan Japan, they could have 6 or 7 events in Japan and still have demand for 3 more.. Truly Japan would host no question, they have great circuits...

The FIA does not need the funds, what do they spend the money on? Salaries?? Who deserves a salary? Only the brave souls not paid, the marshals, the rest of the FIA can make do, working the deli counter at M/S...

 

[CWallace]

So looks like Pierre Waché is the "cause" of the "Second Seat Curse" at Red Bull, as his focus on developing and tuning the car for Max has now put the crosshairs on Hadjar, who could now be at risk of having his career cut short if he cannot adopt Max's driving style.

 

[pachyderm]

So looks like Pierre Waché is the "cause" of the "Second Seat Curse" at Red Bull, as his focus on developing and tuning the car for Max has now put the crosshairs on Hadjar, who could now be at risk of having his career cut short if he cannot adopt Max's driving style.

That's horrible.

 

[CWallace]

The FIA, FOM and PU OEMs have in principle agreed that for 2027 the ICE output will be raised by 50kW/70bhp through higher fuel-flows, with the electrical output reduced from 350kW to 300kW to compensate. This changes the output ratio to closer to 60/40. Future changes could include increasing the battery pack capacity from the current 4MJ to 5MJ and increasing the maximum harvesting rate from 350kW to 400-450kW.

 

[CWallace]

In recognition of just how terrible the Honda PU is, the FIA has adjusted the ADUO criteria to allow for additional cost cap allowance and dyno hours for ICEs up to 10% behind the leading ICE. For Honda, who is at least that far behind perceived leader RBFPT, this means they will be allowed to spend an additional USD 11 million over the cost cap on ICE improvements as well as getting an extra 230 hours of dyno time. They will also get a one-time additional $8 million raise in the cost cap for 2026.

Honda gets extra F1 power unit help after FIA tweaks cost cap rules

The FIA has made changes to the ADUO catch-up mechanic to help struggling Formula 1 manufacturers

www.motorsport.com

 

[JustinePaula]

If the cars are 1600CC 6 cylinder, why not strap 2x 800CC 3 cylinder Chevy Spark engines and use an arduino or a Pi to do the differential steering? As you turn the wheel, one engine revs up, the other down.. Braking only changes the fuel flow to reduce revs... To spend how much, 11 bar over the cap.. For a 1600cc 6 Valve.. I know engines and stuff is a dark art, but how hard can it be? You have an engine, it has to have 6 valves, in a V config.. of a certain size, stroke length, it can only use this much fuel per cycle, so many cycles per minute.. A solved issue from about 1890.. Mr Benz and the wife solved that.. Rinse repeat...

230 hours of dyno time? Seems a lot.. Did someone get a cheap PHD and it shows?? Just kidding.. But it seems kind of bizarre that this late into the 2020's, and some teams are in high school, one or 2 are stuck repeating standard 5, and one team is trying to find out if they can graduate out of pre-K... That team wants to spend 11bars of gold to improve an engine??? Strange times, strange times...

 

[CWallace]

Rumors are starting to swirl that Lewis Hamilton will announce his retirement from Formula One during the British Grand Prix weekend.

The F1 journalist Louis Dekker for the Dutch NOS podcast appears to have first floated the rumor, though it is now being picked up by Italian media per FP1Will's YouTube channel and drivers including Dutchman Jeroen Bleekemolen and German Ralf Schumacher are talking up the possibility.

 

[JustinePaula]

A day late and £1 short.. Did Lewis think he was going to get any love from Ferrari? "We will get back to you.." sort of sums up the love they had for him... Why wait? Talk about buzz kill, just how to really turn your fans.. Honestly it would have been better to say "Cheers and thanks" in Italy, but to do it in the UK, that is a low blow... Maybe Lewis hates the UK...

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Rumors are starting to swirl that Lewis Hamilton will announce his retirement from Formula One during the British Grand Prix weekend.

The F1 journalist Louis Dekker for the Dutch NOS podcast appears to have first floated the rumor, though it is now being picked up by Italian media per FP1Will's YouTube channel and drivers including Dutchman Jeroen Bleekemolen and German Ralf Schumacher are talking up the possibility.

I have seen those rumours too and think it may be time, even if the journalists mentioned are big Hamilton detractors. The fact he may do it in front of the British fans is very poignant and I hope he does it there rather than at Monza. He'll retire as the most successful F1 driver in the history of the sport and definitely the most impressive I have witnessed in my life time. His legacy is a difficult one to beat and I think it'll be a long time before we see another driver that does as much for the sport/motorsport as Lewis has in terms of appeal.

It also depends whether this is just a rumour though and if Lewis is actually wanting to retire. His massive salary at Ferrari was essentially paid for by sponsors and he has huge market appeal for the Ferrari brand. It would also be great to see him back at Mercedes in an ambassador role, as he owes all his success to them.

 

[JustinePaula]

There will be a number of fans of F1 that would not say he is the most successful, it all depends on how you define success, and in what era.. Sir Mr J Stewart, Mr A Senna, Mr N Lauda, Mr JM Fangio are possibly better and more successful, as they drove in a era where you surviving a season was a great success.. Esp Mr N Lauda...

Lewis would have won more titles but save for having a couple of duff partners, one was as good as, the others, well they loved playing Santa, gifting titles to all and sundry, almost hard to believe Mr Trundle was not a title holder in this era..

But yeah, Lewis brought something to the industry, won titles, when it was hard to not win.. 1 car championships in a sterile safer than riding a roller coaster formula...He like many others thought a change would work, and that idea soured quickly.. But this is great as we really need more 17-20 yr olds in the system moving up, more the better, the older names really are not providing any real quality..

His season with Nico was brilliant, and we miss that, F1 needs more teams fighting for titles, 3 drivers in for the win.. yes.. down to the last race, last lap, winner hosts the chicken dinner. I really hope Lewis moves into 24 hour, would be great to see him in the Lemons 24 hour...

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

There will be a number of fans of F1 that would not say he is the most successful, it all depends on how you define success, and in what era.. Sir Mr J Stewart, Mr A Senna, Mr N Lauda, Mr JM Fangio are possibly better and more successful, as they drove in a era where you surviving a season was a great success.. Esp Mr N Lauda...

Lewis would have won more titles but save for having a couple of duff partners, one was as good as, the others, well they loved playing Santa, gifting titles to all and sundry, almost hard to believe Mr Trundle was not a title holder in this era..

But yeah, Lewis brought something to the industry, won titles, when it was hard to not win.. 1 car championships in a sterile safer than riding a roller coaster formula...He like many others thought a change would work, and that idea soured quickly.. But this is great as we really need more 17-20 yr olds in the system moving up, more the better, the older names really are not providing any real quality..

His season with Nico was brilliant, and we miss that, F1 needs more teams fighting for titles, 3 drivers in for the win.. yes.. down to the last race, last lap, winner hosts the chicken dinner. I really hope Lewis moves into 24 hour, would be great to see him in the Lemons 24 hour...

You can go into any era and dismantle it to suggest the winners had an unfair advantage. Jackie drove in a dangerous era where Tyrell and Lotus were racing against unreliable Ferrari's and cars from teams that couldn't afford cars and engines, sometimes racing F2 spec cars or relying on running the same cars for 3 years straight. Senna and Prost raced in the 80's against a Williams team that had money to match and frequent unreliability. McLaren had Honda engines on tap, with qualifying spec's that sometimes allowed them to outqualify others by as much as 30 seconds, and a minute at the lower end of the grid. Schumacher had inferior team mates throughout his career dictated by contract and enjoyed a 5 year breeze in a superior Ferrari.

So less of the cheery picking with Lewis. Great drivers drive great cars and attract great advantages.

 

[JustinePaula]

I dispute the Lewis is the most successful.. Sure 1 metric says he is, but... Would Lewis have survived a race in 1950?? By pure naked numbers, Lewis is great, but.. That is all... I don't think he is a great driver, nor was Micheal Schumacher, nor is that kid from Belguim, Max something.. Really, had 1 great save in the rain as a child.. but then, again, 1 driver in a 1 car championship.. Hard to come 2nd..