Overview
1. Driver Cooling Systems: Introduction of "heat hazard" regulations mandating cooling systems for drivers in high-temperature conditions.
2. Minimum Weight Adjustment: Increase in minimum car weight by 5kg to accommodate cooling equipment.
3. Revised DRS Slot Gaps: Adjustment of DRS rear wing slot gaps and stricter rules for DRS operation.
4. Active Aerodynamics for 2026: Clarification of active aero rules, allowing two front wing flaps with specific modes for cornering and straight-line use.
5. Rear Wing Flexibility: Shift from mandatory three-element rear wings to allowing two-element configurations.
6. Enhanced Floor Design: Expansion of floor regulations to boost downforce with new sidewalls, winglets, and fences.
7. Wheel Bodywork Updates: Addition of deflectors, debris guards, and updated wheel drum regulations for safety and performance.
The FIA has just issued some major updates to the Formula 1 rules for 2025 and 2026, aimed at making things safer for drivers, boosting aerodynamics, and helping cars handle tough conditions. They said this after the World Motor Sport Council meeting in Rwanda, focusing on important things like driver cooling systems, DRS setups, and active aerodynamics. Driver Cooling Systems and Heat Hazard Rules
In the FIA, there is a new set of "heat hazard" regulations that will ensure the safety of drivers in high-temperature races. In case temperatures reach 30.5°C as forecasted by the official weather radars or declared by the race director, the teams must be equipped with advanced cooling systems in the driver's outfit. As the weight of such equipment increases, the minimum car weight increases by 5kg throughout the race weekend.
The FIA has now tightened the rules on DRS usage. It reduced the slot gap at the rear wing from 10-15mm to 9.4-13mm and the gap is allowed to be 85mm maximum when DRS is activated. This was one of the loopholes closed, as seen in 2024 with McLaren's "mini-DRS." The DRS must have only two defined positions for its mechanism so that there are similar performance consistency and conformity to a given standard of aerodynamics.
FIA cleared up its regulations on active aerodynamics, from 2026. There could be two modes of application of front wing flaps, cornering as well as straight line running mode but modes should have physical stops, which means one cannot pass the unbearable amount of rotation of parts.
Teams can now opt for two or three elements in their rear wing. Also, they can swap all the elements except the bottom main plane. This opens up some space for a few innovative design concepts but keeps the aerodynamic balance intact. Better Floor and Wheels Rules
They have stretched the full floor design of the car, which increases downforce. They have included some cool stuff like floor sidewalls, winglets, and fences. And they have also given the bodywork around the wheels a new look with deflectors and debris guards along with new wheel drum rules to make things safer and better performing. Looking Ahead
These updates show how committed the FIA is to the evolution of Formula 1 regulations as drivers ensure safe, fair, and innovative competition. The 2025 and 2026 seasons will thus be quite exciting as teams adapt to the new standards.
