F1 2026

[Quinny]

Too soon to start this thread? Oh well...

Anyway, to kick things off, there's this growing rumbling during pre-season, and this is EXACTLY WHY I don't like the sport as much as I did 30-odd years ago.

The technical gain is centred around engine compression ratios, the difference between the maximum and minimum volume of the cylinder during the piston stroke. This season it is set at 16:1, measured at an ambient temperature when the car is at rest, but other manufacturers believe Mercedes and Red Bull have used materials that give them an edge. When running on a track, they take advantage of the thermal expansion of components to increase the compression ratio and an engine’s power but adhere to the rules when not running.

Storm brews over new F1 rules loopholes as Mercedes and Red Bull gain advantage | Giles Richards

Compression ratios will be at the top of the FIA’s agenda in a meeting with F1 teams to head off growing fears before the 2026 season gets under way

www.theguardian.com

 

[daront]

Looking forward to this new season. The rules needed to change as cars were just so close together, reliability was really good and a lot of action was DRS chains.
Some qualifying was like 1 second between 1st and last so change was need to spread the field again.
As for the Engine issues, its like a lot of things in F1. Teams interpret the rules differently and gain an advantage till the FIA close the loopholes.
Merc and Red bull have found a loophole and the other engine manufacturers failed to find that loophole.
Its been happening since f1 started each team trying to find that edge. Mansells williams active suspension springs to mind and of course the brawn double diffuser.

So yeah an exciting season and there will.
be surprises and drama and probably lots of finger pointing.

 

[Argylegames]

Surprised the ultimate rule benders Ferrari hadn't cottoned on to that!

 

[MickyD]

It will be interesting to see how the new kids on the block fare, with two old-timers to guide them.

Cadillac 'here to do great things', says Perez

I can't remember the last time we had an actual new team on the grid, rather than just a renamed old one following some sort of takeover or buyout or rebranding.

Good timing, of course: they could start with a clean slate designing the car from the ground up with the new regs in mind.

 

[smudja]

Surprised the ultimate rule benders Ferrari hadn't cottoned on to that!

Obviously don't have the best engineering design team.. good comments from red bull as an engineer worth what they are paid would know about various materials n expansion rates.

 

[Brussels Bureaucrat]

It will be interesting to see how the new kids on the block fare, with two old-timers to guide them.

Cadillac 'here to do great things', says Perez

I can't remember the last time we had an actual new team on the grid, rather than just a renamed old one following some sort of takeover or buyout or rebranding.

Good timing, of course: they could start with a clean slate designing the car from the ground up with the new regs in mind.

I'm probably forgetting someone obvious but I think Haas were the latest proper new entry, rather than just the latest rebrand of Minardi, Sauber and Benetton.

 

[MickyD]

I'm probably forgetting someone obvious but I think Haas were the latest proper new entry, rather than just the latest rebrand of Minardi, Sauber and Benetton.

Ah, I think you're right. Another American takeover in progress - just what we need.

 

[GreenThing]

Was Haas a brand new team? I remember Virgin, HRT and Caterham (originally Lotus) coming in new in 2010.

 

[Brussels Bureaucrat]

Was Haas a brand new team? I remember Virgin, HRT and Caterham (originally Lotus) coming in new in 2010.

They bought the assets and facilities of Manor/Marussia (remember them?) when they went arse-up in 2014 but they are a completely different team.

 

[GreenThing]

They bought the assets and facilities of Manor/Marussia (remember them?) when they went arse-up in 2014 but they are a completely different team.

Ok. That was either the Virgin or HRT team before a rebrand to Manor. Can’t remember which.

 

[Brussels Bureaucrat]

Ok. That was either the Virgin or HRT team before a rebrand to Manor. Can’t remember which.

Yep that's correct, they were Virgin in 2010, then Virgin-Marussia in 2011, then Marussia until 2014. HRT were the Spanish backmarkers that gave Danny Ricc his F1 debut (and also ran Bruno Senna).

 

[Mat]

I need a visual before and after comparison of the car designs.

 

[MickyD]

I need a visual before and after comparison of the car designs.

It's really quite striking.

 

[MickyD]

I was really looking forward to seeing how the new regs shook out, ideally with lots of crazy results along the way.

And then this morning I read this: Red Bull advantage 'pretty scary', says Russell

Please god, no.

 

[The Pilgrim]

I was really looking forward to seeing how the new regs shook out, ideally with lots of crazy results along the way.

And then this morning I read this: Red Bull advantage 'pretty scary', says Russell

Please god, no.

There is quite a lot of controversy about the Merc engine this season and I think its in their interest for everyone to think they're struggling....