The updated 2026 rules will lead to "more convincing cornerning speed"

With Formula One set to introduce an all-new technical regulation for the 2026 F1 season, McLaren team boss Andrea Stella and Williams team principal James Vowles are confident that the new cars will generate the necessary cornering speed that will be enough for Formula One to maintain its status in motorsport.

Ahead of the sweeping regulation change in two years' time, the technical rules for the 2026 F1 season were originally approved in June 2024.

The FIA has recently confirmed that the aerodynamic regulations have been updated after a long collaboration between the FIA, FOM and the Formula 1 teams

In fact, the sport's governing body announced a raft of modifications to 2026 technical, sporting and financial rules, which, according to the FIA, will “see a higher performance from the cars, while maintaining management of the wake characteristics to promote close and exciting racing.”

The tweaks to the technical regulations have been introduced in order to enhance "a higher performance from the cars, while maintaining management of the wake characteristics to promote close and exciting racing." It is understood that the technical update will mean that the all-new 2026 F1 cars will be two seconds faster than the ones that would have been design in accordance of the original rules.

Reflecting on the changes, Williams team boss James Vowles has revealed that the update to the regulation will provide teams with more freedom to explore the rules.

"I think there was really good work done both by the FIA, but also the teams at the same time, in coming to a solution that I think is much better now. Where we're in a situation, there's more freedom to be able to explore those regulations.

"There's more performance that comes with it at the same time. I think it's a better balance of what we've achieved. And it's really good. I mean, I've said it twice in that sentence, but it's because it really was a good reflection as to how all the teams came together with the FIA to produce those regulations as one. That's why it came together as quickly as it did.

"So there's more flow controlling devices in place, which lead to downforce, but differentiation between teams. What's been really positive as well is there's still some small areas of improvement around the diffuser.

"But again, what's great to see is teams in the FI working hand in hand in order to improve that. Because every time you make a change like that, it has some consequences. But I think what you're going to see now is instead of all teams working in the same few millimetres, there'll be some different concepts. I personally think that is good for the sport," Vowles concluded.

McLaren team boss Andrea Stella has revealed that the updated regulation will see the brand-new cars generate greater cornering speed compared to what the first set of rules intended to achieve.

"First of all, I would like to completely express my agreement with James in terms of the good work, the good collaboration between the FIA and the teams, which is important to underline.

"I think in terms of cornering speed, Now in simulation looks like much more convincing that may still be offering good racing, may still be offering Formula 1 as the pinnacle of motorsport. So from this point of view, downforce level seems to be in a much better place.

"I think there's still a few weeks of work. And hopefully this will lead us to the target that will guarantee good racing and good overall speed like we all want to see for a Formula 1car.

"With the recent release of the car geometry, especially from an aerodynamic point of view, basically two main things have been achieved as you refer to. One is a much higher downforce level and the second one is more freedom. We welcome both. We welcome the more freedom.

"I think this will give teams the possibility to just use their knowledge, use their methodologies. The knowledge that has been accrued over the years, even if with different regulations, is a way of creating some differentiation.

"So we've always been advocating this kind of approach and we welcome the fact that there will be more freedom," concluded Stella.