Mohammed Ben Sulayem begins second term as FIA President

Mohammed Ben Sulayem has begun his second term as president of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) as Formula 1 prepares to introduce a major regulatory overhaul in 2026.

The new regulations will reshape car design, power units and sporting systems across the FIA Formula 1 World Championship with changes aimed at competitiveness, sustainability and safety.

“This marks a defining moment for the Formula One World Championship,” said FIA President Ben Sulayem. “The new regulations are the result of a huge amount of effort and dedication towards strengthening the Championship for the next decade and beyond.”

FIA ushers in 2026 F1 overhaul

At the centre of the changes is the FIA’s Nimble Car Concept, which is designed to reduce the size and weight of Formula One cars. From 2026, cars will be 30 kilograms lighter with a target weight of 724kg including tyres. The wheelbase will be reduced by 200mm to 3,400mm, car width will decrease by 100mm and floor width will be reduced by 150mm.

Active aerodynamics will replace the Drag Reduction System, which has been used since 2011. The new system will feature moveable front and rear wings that allow drivers to switch between two modes.

The FIA said the system is intended primarily to reduce drag and conserve energy as power units rely more heavily on electrical output.

Overtaking assistance will instead come from a new Overtake Mode. Drivers who are within one second of the car ahead at designated activation points will be able to deploy an additional 0.5MJ of electrical energy.

Power units will also be redesigned for 2026. The 1.6 litre hybrid format will remain, but battery power will increase by 300 per cent with an equal split between internal combustion and electric power.

The regulations have attracted new manufacturers. Audi will enter Formula One for the first time. Honda will return as a full works partner with Aston Martin. Ford will support Red Bull Powertrains, which will supply Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls. Mercedes and Ferrari will continue as suppliers.

A new constructor will also join the grid. Cadillac will enter Formula One in 2026, becoming the first new team since Haas in 2016. The General Motors brand is set to debut at the season opening race in Melbourne.

Sustainability is a central pillar of the 2026 reset. From that season onward, all Formula 1 cars will run on advanced sustainable fuels, marking a major step in the FIA’s long-term environmental strategy.

The 2026 season will mark the first full championship run under the new regulations during Ben Sulayem’s second term as FIA president.