Aston Martin's team boss praises the FIA for collaboration with the teams ahead of the 2026 regulation overhaul
Aston Martin team boss Mike Krack insists that Formula One's governing body, the FIA has done an excellent job by collaborating with the teams when setting the direction for the new set of technical regulations.
Formula 1 cars are going to look different from 2026 with new rules dictating that the machines are smaller, lighter and more agile.
Although the sport will continue with V6 turbo-hybrid engines in 2026, the 2026 rule book will provide for a reduction in the weight and size of the cars, significant levels of active aero to reduce drag on the straights.
Expanding on the process that led to the new rules, Aston Martin team boss Mike Krack explained that the FIA and Formula One have been actively in collaboration with the teams to come up with the best product.
"I've warmed to these new regulations over the last few months and after discussing them with a few people. The FIA and F1 have a plan, with the goal of ensuring we get exciting racing.
"The regulations are not finalised yet, and the FIA are actively collaborating with the teams. They're the governing body, they could theoretically do what they please, but they want the teams' input and support on which areas to free-up, what to restrict."
Krack has revealed that the governing body has been eager to come up with a regulation that do not lead to huge performance gaps between the teams.
"What they're keen to avoid are huge performance leaps between seasons and the potential for dominance by one team. It's not good for the show. This is why they've been very cautious and very restrictive so far. It's also why some teams have been very unhappy and made this unhappiness known via the media.
"In my opinion, if we work with the FIA, we can make an exciting product, have great racing, see moderate performance gains year-on-year that will not distort the spectacle. And in doing this, we can keep the sport growing, have sensible regulation and a strong competition.
"We can also create something the fans can understand. This is very important and often underestimated. We shouldn't be in a position where the technology needs to endlessly be explained.
"There is a constituency among F1 fans that wants the deep dive into the tech – and as an engineer I'm more than happy to accommodate and encourage that – but it's not the majority of fans," concluded Krack.