Hamilton Shares His Honest Opinion On Newly Released 2026 Regulations

Friday, 07 June 2024 at 22:00

Lewis Hamilton shared his opinion on the newly introduced regulations that will dictate the design of F1 cars starting from the 2026 season.

On Thursday, June 6th, 2024, the FIA officially released the regulations for the 2026 cars, their design and specs, and some interesting numbers with images that help us imagine what they will be like.

First of all, as we've known since 2022, these cars will have a new kind of power unit, 50/50 powered by an internal combustion engine and an electric motor.

The 2026 cars are supposed to be 10 cm (3,93 inches) narrower, 20 cm (7.87 inches) shorter, and 30 kilograms lighter, which FIA suggested will improve their maneuverability and traceability.

While 30 kg might make a difference of about one second per lap by the general rule of thumb, the seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton stated that it seems "still heavy." He told the media ahead of the 2024 Canadian Grand Prix.

"It's only 30 kilos, so it's going in the right direction, but it's still heavy. So, I mean, I've only just seen what you've all seen this morning."

FIA's Render of the 2026 car concept

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FIA has also tested these cars on the simulator, collaborating with some drivers, but the 39-year-old said he wasn't one of them, so he doesn't know yet how they feel on track.

"I don't really have huge thoughts on it just yet, spoke to some drivers who have driven it on sim as I haven't driven it on the sim, they said it's pretty slow. So we will see whether it's actually the right direction or not."

Hamilton didn't address some other changes. DRS, as we know it, will be gone and replaced by a "Manual Override System" (MOM).

MOM will basically allow drivers to extract more power from their power unit on the straights under the same rules they have been using DRS. So, artificial help for overtaking will still be there.

The fact that DRS will be gone doesn't mean that the rear wing won't open. It will just work differently, and we will refer to it differently.

Both front and rear wings will open on all the straights for better speed, efficiency, and higher energy regeneration under braking.

Though he didn't address these changes, the seven-time World Champion added he thought the new power units were a "step in the right direction."

"I think in terms of sustainability on the PU side it's a bold step and the right direction. We've just got to make sure the cars are efficient, fast, and a natural step forward, and actually racing is improved."