It started on January 1: the teams have the complete regulations for 2026 to start developing the all-new F1 cars for next year. Some have already launched their work in the wind tunnel, such as Alpine F1, which is testing a very first exploratory model of the A526.
While some teams have every incentive to go all out on 2026, having little to hope for in 2025, George Russell argued that starting work too far in advance on Formula 1’s 2026 rule change would not guarantee the success, because it amounts to “digging for gold”.
The field of 10 teams will face an additional challenge this season, as they will have to balance developing their latest cars with the focus on next-generation F1 cars.
This will place an even greater demand on those at the front of the standings, as the top teams will have to contend with reduced wind tunnel development.
“If you look at 2021, Mercedes stopped development of that year’s car and focused very early on the 2022 car. Whereas Red Bull continued to develop the 2021 car.
“At the end of this season, Mercedes had the fastest car. Then you moved to 2022 and Red Bull had the fastest car.”
-“We’re going to have to assess, early next year, how well you continue to develop the 2025 car. Ultimately, 2026 is like digging for gold before anyone else.”
“For the 2026 regulations, you’re digging, but you don’t know if you’re digging in the right places.”
“And, ultimately, it’s when you start and drive the car for the first time that people start to make the biggest progress. There’s nothing like the track.”
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