Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has expressed doubt teams will be able to achieve the lower minimum weight limit set by the FIA for the 2026 Formula 1 season.
The limit is set to fall next year following over 15 years of increases which have pushed it from 605 kilograms to 800kg. The FIA originally announced next year’s limit will be 768kg but Horner does not consider the goal realistic.
“A number was plucked out of the air for car weight,” he said in yesterday’s FIA press conference. “We’ve got engines that are significantly heavier and a car weight that has become lower. So it will be an enormous challenge for every team to achieve it.”
The FIA subsequently changed the minimum weight limit for 2026 to account for variations in tyre weight. In grands prix next year it will be set at 724kg plus the ‘Nominal Tyre Weight’. This new value will be defined after pre-season testing next year when Pirelli weighs samples of its new, smaller tyres.
F1 tyres – and cars – will be smaller next year
Next year’s rules also specify smaller car dimensions. However Horner pointed out that other mooted changes to the regulations will make it harder to achieve a reduction in tyre weight.
F1 is considering whether to require teams to use steel instead of titanium for their skid blocks, after multiple trackside fires were caused by sparks during race weekends at Suzuka this year and Shanghai last year.
“Saving weight costs a colossal amount of money,” said Horner. “There was a discussion last week about introducing steel skids – maybe that would warrant adding five kilos to the minimum weight.
“It is what it is, it’s the same for everybody. There will be choices teams make to hit the weight, because weight is free lap time. Every 10 kilos is about 0.35 seconds. But it will be very challenging for all teams to get down to minimum weight.”
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff agreed the reduction will be difficult to achieve but said the goal of making the cars lighter was a worthwhile one.
“Like Christian said, you make choices as a team. How much lap time do you attribute to weight and ballast? Where do you want to save?
“You may compromise other performance parts if you want to reduce your weight, or the opposite. It is challenging.
“The reason we’re doing it is to make the cars more nimble. Is that something that was important? I think it was. We’ve got to start somewhere. That initial step is difficult, but it’s the same for everyone.”
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