– The 2026 generation of Formula 1 cars are significantly lighter than their predecessors – at least in theory. The minimum weight of the cars has dropped from 800 to 768 kilograms. But especially at the start of the season, not every team will reach this value.
Read more Tech upgrades for Renault Austral, Espace and Rafale
“Weight is a huge topic,” said Racing Bulls CEO Peter Bayer at the beginning of the year in the podcast Backstage Boxengasse from Sky. He also referred back then to the last major rule change in Formula 1 in 2022.
At that time, with the Alfa Romeo, there was exactly “one single” car among the ten that reached the minimum weight right at the start of the season. “All others were between ten and 20 [kilograms] over [the minimum weight],” said Bayer.
“And I don’t think it will be much different this time,” the Austrian predicted even before the winter testing in Bahrain. In fact, Williams, among others, confirmed there that they had not yet reached the new weight limit.
Photo gallery: The 2026 Formula 1 cars in their final designs on the race track
And Red Bull also admitted that the RB22 is currently still suffering from excess weight. Pierre Wache revealed: “Like everyone, we are trying to reduce weight after the winter. We have some challenges regarding weight, but that is the case for everyone.”
“Maybe some have done a better job than us, but we have to save some weight on the car, as it is always our philosophy to make the car faster and not worry about weight restrictions or anything like that,” he explains.
Read more Despite Middle East conflict: Formula 1 season opener takes place as planned, but …
Why a weight advantage is no guarantee
Back in 2022, Red Bull struggled with an overweight car at the start of the new rule era – but still became world champion at the end of the year. Because in Formula 1, the principle is that it is easier to make a fast car light than to make a light car fast.
This was also shown in the opposite case with Alfa Romeo at the time. The team benefited from the weight advantage at the beginning of the year and finished in the points in seven of the first nine races. In the last 13 races of the season, when the other teams had caught up in terms of weight, they only scored points three more times.
Q&A before the season start: Ask your questions about Formula 1 2026!
So whoever is already operating at the weight limit at the start of the 2026 season could have an advantage. However, this could also be quickly used up as soon as the competitors catch up in terms of weight. Especially since currently no one wants to reveal exactly how heavy their car is.
Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane says about midfield competitor Williams, for example: “I don’t expect them to publicly announce how much their car weighs, just as I won’t reveal how much ours weighs.”
- IndyCarAfter Schumacher collision: Sharp criticism of Sting Ray Robb
- Formel 1“That has been known for a long time”: Fred Vasseur wonders about start discussions
- Formel 1Despite Middle East conflict: Formula 1 season opener takes place as planned, but …
- MotoGPWho slept the worst last night: Maverick Vinales
“But let’s put it this way: some teams will have to make more optimizations than others. That’s for sure,” said Permane. When asked which category the Racing Bulls fall into, he replies with a grin: “I just said that I won’t reveal that…”
Read more Legal dispute ended: McLaren and Ganassi reach agreement over Alex Palou
