Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton.
Feeling the F1 2026 challengers will still be on the “heavy” side, Lewis Hamilton set out his wishlist for the FIA, having heard from some drivers that the cars are looking “pretty slow”.
The eagerly awaited new regulations that will be implemented in the F1 2026 season were revealed by the FIA on the night before the Canadian Grand Prix.
Lewis Hamilton wants fast, efficient cars for good F1 racing
A standout feature of these new challengers, as the FIA works to its ‘nimble car’ concept, was the reveal that 30 kilograms will be trimmed from their weight, though that number was not getting Hamilton too excited.
Despite not testing the F1 2026 car in the simulator, Hamilton acknowledged that other drivers who have tried it described it as “quite slow.” While he commended the effort put into developing the power units, which will have an equal distribution of electrical power and an internal combustion engine utilizing sustainable fuels, Hamilton emphasized the importance of the regulations also enhancing the racing aspect.
During a press conference before the Canadian Grand Prix, he addressed the media, stating, “I must admit, it’s heading in the right direction with just 30 kilos, but it’s still quite weighty.”
I have talked to a few drivers who have experienced it on the simulator. Although I haven’t tried it myself, they mentioned that it is quite slow. Therefore, we will determine if it is truly the correct direction or not.
“I believe that this decision is a significant and positive move towards sustainability, especially with regards to the power unit aspect.”
“We must ensure that cars are not only efficient and fast but also represent a genuine advancement, while also striving to enhance the quality of racing.”
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The press conference host, Tom Clarkson, proceeded to introduce the topic to Nico Hulkenberg, acknowledging his involvement in a recent meeting regarding the F1 2026 rules. Hulkenberg, representing Audi in their Formula 1 debut during this transformative era, will be taking the wheel.
Similar to Hamilton, he downplayed the importance of the weight loss, but also acknowledged that a considerable decrease in downforce would result in a noticeably altered situation and traits compared to the present Formula 1.
“Indeed, it is undoubtedly quite distinct,” he affirmed. “There are intriguing regions and facets to explore. Nonetheless, I believe there are some areas that require additional refinement.”
As Lewis mentioned, I believe the weight reduction is beneficial, although 30 kilos is not a significant amount.
“It appears that there will be a significant reduction in downforce, particularly in high-speed corners. This will lead to a noticeably different scenario and change in characteristics compared to the current situation.”
“There will certainly be a significant transformation, and change is not always easy to embrace. However, we will observe the developments over the next year and a half to determine whether any minor adjustments might occur.”
On June 28, the World Motor Sport Council is scheduled to officially approve the F1 2026 regulations.
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