The Formula 1 teams kicked off the designs of their cars for 2026with the development ban lifted for the next generation of regulations.
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As part of an effort agreed at the end of 2023 to avoid an arms race from the first works, teams were not allowed to carry out aerodynamic tests on car geometry compliant with the 2026 rules, before January 1, 2025.
However, this did not prevent the teams from developing some preliminary tests. With this restriction ending, they can't wait to put their first models in the wind tunnel and start unlocking the secrets of the next generation of cars. However, from the start, teams will face a dilemma over how much resources to devote to 2026 carsbecause they cannot completely ignore the plans for the upcoming season either.
Prioritize 2026?
Tactical management will be necessary to determine where resources should be allocated. Some teams might choose to prioritize 2025 for short-term gains, while others might be willing to sacrifice next year in hopes to get ahead of 2026.
As Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur said: “We are not all in the same situation. I think if you're Alpine or Aston Martin, you're probably more inclined to go with the new rules. You also have more time in the wind tunnel, which means you can probably go in that direction. If you're a top four team today, you get back in the car and you know you're going to be in the fight next year, so it's hard to give up a championship. Plus, if you know you haven't done your best, it's hard, even for everyone on the team. »
McLaren, after winning the constructors' championship in 2024 but narrowly missing out on the drivers' title, has a clear objective: she wants to push as much as possible for 2025. Neil Houldey, technical director of engineering at McLaren, said: “I think there's an opportunity to win a championship in 2025. There is, of course, an opportunity to win championships in 2026. And we want to do both. But there is competition from Red Bull. Mercedes will have a fast car. You have Ferrari which is fast. There is no reason why these teams cannot generate a lot of performance next season, and we have to be there and do the same if we want to win the championship. »
A crucial year
For a majority of teams, the key aspect will be to remain flexible in their approach. Ideally, they will manage to launch a competitive car from the start of the season, allowing them to scale back development for 2025 and focus fully on 2026.
However, if a team struggles at the start of the year, it might find it best not to invest further in the current car and get a head start on its future challenger. This could lead to an early abandonment of the fight for the lead, much earlier than would be normal if the rules remained unchanged.
Mike Krack, team principal at Aston Martin, explained: “Everyone has to start on the same basis and, depending on where you are and the gaps, people will make their choices. But there are no more points in 2026 than in 2025, and there is also a constructors' and drivers' championship to be won. I think everyone is dead set on 2025 at the moment, because there are also restrictions on 2026.”
“But quickly, depending on the established order and the gaps, you will have to make a choice: can I close this gap or will others close the gap with me? Can I afford to run with what I have and focus on 2026? I can't answer this question now. We must be objective and see month after month where we are”he explains.
The move to development for 2026 should not be delayed any longer than necessary, because, with a still limited understanding of the 2026 regulations, each week of work on the future car will likely yield more gains than the efforts to improve the 2025 car.
Andrew Shovlin, head of track engineering at Mercedes, said: “I don’t think anyone will go for a total overhaul or a radical change in concept for 2025, because that would be too disruptive to the program. But I think all teams will look at the start of the year to decide when to completely switch to 2026. The reality is that the pace of development on your 2026 car should far exceed that of 2025. So every week on 2025, you lose several weeks out of 2026 in terms of ground to be made up. »
The final decision will be complex, and teams may not know if they made the right choices before the start of the 2026 season. Which could lead to doubts about the performance of the cars at the start of next season and, ultimately, a major headache for all teams from the start.
