Mercedes deputy technical director Simone Resta believes Formula 1 teams won’t be hit by surprises with the 2026 rules overhaul despite concerns with the regulations previously being raised.
Next year, F1 will introduce both new engine and new aerodynamic regulations to herald a new era in the championship, highlighted by the removal of the MGU-H with more reliance on electrical power, active aerodynamics and a car weight drop.
Following the full reveal of the 2026 rules shake-up 12 months ago, teams have been digging into the details, which had sparked concerns of cars running out of battery power on the straights at certain power-sensitive circuits.
While some have used the issue as a political tool, which briefly fuelled momentum behind a V10 engine push that was ultimately rejected, F1 is committed to the 2026 rules and teams are working closely with both F1 and the FIA to resolve concerns.
After those initial worries, teams now see scope for innovation, with famed designer Adrian Newey pointing out that the regulations allow for “more flexibility for innovation and different approaches than first meets the eye” as he oversees Aston Martin’s preparation for next year.
F1 2026 FIA car renders
Photo by: FIA
While the proof of success will only be discovered when the 2026 season gets underway, Mercedes’ Resta is confident the work done by teams with the FIA will ensure problems and loopholes can be resolved before it is too late.
“I think the FIA is very active at the moment in receiving indications from all the teams to close all the loopholes in the rules,” Resta told Motorsport.com in Imola.
“I don’t think there will be any surprises, the rules seem to be defined quite completely. I am sure that we will see very different projects to try to make a difference.
“The FIA seems to have managed to do a good job: it has put together a complete package of rules that leaves a lot of freedom for the teams to give their best. Now is the time to work and not to talk, it is time to make a difference.”
Resta didn’t completely rule out potential issues over cars running out of battery power at circuits like Monza, but has played down the expected impact it could have.
F1 2026 FIA car renders
Photo by: FIA
“Maybe there will be issues to understand based on the track where we will race, [but] on many tracks the problem will not be evident,” he said.
“We will probably see [the issue] at Monza, but there will already be some changes on the use of the power unit; therefore, honestly I don’t think it will be a big issue. We will see.”
With teams able to focus on 2026 preparations since January, Resta believes the rules are now stable beyond “small things that are defined” within the aerodynamic rules, which has allowed teams to dig into the development work.
“The regulation has undergone a strong evolution, at the moment it has found stability,” he explained. “I think it is quite mature, even if there are continuous refinements on the aerodynamic side, small things that are defined, but fundamentally it is defined. And this is a positive thing.
“Since the beginning of January, all the teams have been able to do the development in the tunnel and in CFD, being able to see first-hand how these cars work: having started the development, we have started to recover the lost load.”
He added: “I think the 2026 regulations are now stable and if we add that the team technicians are starting to understand better how the cars work, we will find ourselves facing one of the biggest changes in the history of F1, because everything is coming in sync.
“There will be a completely new engine, without MGU-H but with sustainable fuels. But there is not only this because new aerodynamics will be added, without ground effect, so we will go back. And then there will be new electronics, tyres that will become smaller and cars that will weigh 50kg less than the current cars. We will add new safety requirements, therefore modifications to the chassis panels for homologation.
“Consequently, it means that all the mechanics will also be revised, therefore new transmissions, modifications to the suspension, to the brakes, and active aerodynamics will debut. It is a bit like the perfect storm, everything will arrive at the same time, while in the past things have always been a bit out of phase.
“The challenge is very complex but it offers an opportunity, because there will be several possibilities to try to make a difference. Let’s say that it will be a regulation that will put the teams in front of more risks of making mistakes than the current one.”
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