Mercedes predicts ‘no surprises’ from 2026 F1 ...

Mercedes deputy technical director Simone Resta believes Formulation 1 groups received’t be hit by surprises with the 2026 guidelines overhaul regardless of issues with the laws beforehand being raised.

Subsequent yr, F1 will introduce each new engine and new aerodynamic laws to herald a brand new period within the championship, highlighted by the removal of the MGU-H with extra reliance on electrical energy, energetic aerodynamics and a automotive weight drop.

Following the complete reveal of the 2026 guidelines shake-up 12 months in the past, teams have been digging into the details, which had sparked issues of vehicles running out of battery power on the straights at sure power-sensitive circuits.

Whereas some have used the problem as a political instrument, which briefly fuelled momentum behind a V10 engine push that was in the end rejected, F1 is committed to the 2026 rules and groups are working carefully with each F1 and the FIA to resolve issues.

After these preliminary worries, groups now see scope for innovation, with famed designer Adrian Newey pointing out that the laws enable for “extra flexibility for innovation and completely different approaches than first meets the attention” as he oversees Aston Martin’s preparation for subsequent yr.

Whereas the proof of success will solely be found when the 2026 season will get underway, Mercedes’ Resta is assured the work achieved by groups with the FIA will guarantee issues and loopholes may be resolved earlier than it’s too late.

“I believe the FIA could be very energetic in the mean time in receiving indications from all of the groups to shut all of the loopholes within the guidelines,” Resta instructed Motorsport.com in Imola.

“I do not assume there shall be any surprises, the foundations appear to be outlined fairly utterly. I’m positive that we are going to see very completely different tasks to attempt to make a distinction.

“The FIA appears to have managed to do an excellent job: it has put collectively a whole bundle of guidelines that leaves a whole lot of freedom for the groups to offer their finest. Now’s the time to work and to not speak, it’s time to make a distinction.”

Resta didn’t utterly rule out potential points over vehicles working out of battery energy at circuits like Monza, however has performed down the anticipated affect it might have.

F1 2026 FIA automotive renders

Photograph by: FIA

“Possibly there shall be points to know based mostly on the observe the place we’ll race, [but] on many tracks the issue is not going to be evident,” he mentioned.

“We’ll in all probability see [the issue] at Monza, however there’ll already be some modifications on using the facility unit; due to this fact, actually I do not assume will probably be an enormous concern. We’ll see.”

With groups in a position to concentrate on 2026 preparations since January, Resta believes the foundations at the moment are secure past “small issues which can be outlined” inside the aerodynamic guidelines, which has allowed teams to dig into the development work.

“The regulation has undergone a robust evolution, in the mean time it has discovered stability,” he defined. “I believe it’s fairly mature, even when there are steady refinements on the aerodynamic aspect, small issues which can be outlined, however essentially it’s outlined. And it is a constructive factor.

“Because the starting of January, all of the groups have been in a position to do the event within the tunnel and in CFD, having the ability to see first-hand how these vehicles work: having began the event, we now have began to get well the misplaced load.”

He added: “I believe the 2026 laws at the moment are secure and if we add that the group technicians are beginning to perceive higher how the vehicles work, we’ll discover ourselves dealing with one of many largest modifications within the historical past of F1, as a result of every little thing is coming in sync.

“There shall be a very new engine, with out MGU-H however with sustainable fuels. However there may be not solely this as a result of new aerodynamics shall be added, with out floor impact, so we’ll return. After which there shall be new electronics, tyres that may develop into smaller and vehicles that may weigh 50kg lower than the present vehicles. We’ll add new security necessities, due to this fact modifications to the chassis panels for homologation.

“Consequently, it implies that all of the mechanics can even be revised, due to this fact new transmissions, modifications to the suspension, to the brakes, and energetic aerodynamics will debut. It’s a bit like the right storm, every little thing will arrive on the identical time, whereas up to now issues have at all times been a bit out of part.

“The problem could be very advanced however it affords a chance, as a result of there shall be a number of potentialities to attempt to make a distinction. For instance that will probably be a regulation that may put the groups in entrance of extra dangers of constructing errors than the present one.”