The FIA have quelled fears that next year’s regulation changes might usher in a new era of dominance similar to that experienced by Mercedes in the past. Power units will be overhauled as part of the planned changes, with engine manufacturers required to adhere to new guidelines. Cars will run on sustainable fuel, while there will also be a revamped energy recovery system with increased electrical power.
In previous seasons, sweeping regulation changes have led to one team dominating the rest of the grid. Mercedes were the big winners in 2014 and went on to land the Constructors’ Championship for eight successive years until 2021. It has led to concerns that a similar spell could ensue from next year onwards, but the FIA have moved to dispel those fears.
Nikolas Tombazis, the body’s single-seater director, has insisted the new regulations are moving in the opposite direction to the complex hybrid systems of a decade ago.
“I don’t think we will see such a great superiority of an engine manufacturer as in 2014,” he told Auto Motor und Sport.
“At that time, the engine became much more complicated compared to its predecessor. This time we are doing the opposite. We simplify technology.
“On the other hand, we have new additions among the manufacturers, and of course there is always the risk that one of them will miss the mark with the first shot, despite the budget limit, despite the limited test bench time.”
It comes after F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali warned fans not to ‘overreact’ if a team emerges on top in the opening races of the 2026 campaign.
Asked if he had any concerns about the new regulations, he told The Race: “I would say the answer is absolutely not. We don’t have to forget that there are two approaches on new regulations.
“One is tactical, and the teams are playing that game and this leads to certain comments and views being made. They have some purpose to that [which] is not really the one that we believe, and is the one that is taking them to make some comments.
“The second is because it’s still on an evolution path. I remember that the real discussion that we had with the FIA and the teams and the drivers at the beginning of the year, already today is totally different.
“So before even starting the new regulation, there is an evolution of things that go in the right direction. And where, at the beginning, I was hearing ‘lift and coast, lift and coast’, already today this argument is almost fading away.
“It’s still there in maybe two, or three situations, but I’m pretty convinced that the relation is there between the teams and the FIA, because they are the one that, at the end of the day, needs to make sure that this adjustment of regulation will be solved.”
For the latest breaking stories and headlines, sign up to our Daily Express F1 newsletter, or join our WhatsApp community here.