FIA wants next-generation F1 cars at least 60kg lighter, with turbo V8s on the table

Formula 1's current cars are only in their first season, but the FIA is already working on the next set of rules. Its single-seater director, Nikolas Tombazis, says the aim is to make the next generation of cars at least 60kg lighter. A turbocharged V8 engine is also being looked at.

How much lighter

The 2026 rules cut about 30kg from the previous generation, bringing the minimum weight down to 768kg. Tombazis has said this was a good step but not the end of the job.

Speaking this week, he said the FIA's ambition is to take off at least another 60kg, and maybe more. He stressed that the final numbers have not been agreed. Earlier this year he had floated an even bigger cut of around 80kg, so the exact target is still open.

He described the goal as cars that are more exciting, much lighter, and feel more natural and responsive to drive.

When the new rules could arrive

The new rules could come in 2030, but the FIA has not ruled out 2031. That decision is still being discussed with teams and other stakeholders.

What else could change

Engines are a big part of the plan. Tombazis said the FIA is working towards a turbocharged V8 with a smaller electrical part than now. That electrical power could mainly be used to give drivers a boost when attacking another car. FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has also pushed for a return to V8s, with lower costs among his aims.

A lighter car would need less downforce, so lap times could stay close to current levels. The FIA also wants to develop the 2026 aerodynamic concept further so that cars can follow each other more closely. It expects tyre wear to improve too, so drivers can push harder for longer.

DRS has not been ruled out either. The FIA says it will decide whether a separate overtaking aid is needed once simulations show how well the electrical system works.

Why weight is hard to cut

Getting cars lighter is not easy. Several teams struggled to reach the 2026 minimum weight. Red Bull was reported to be as much as 30kg over at one stage, and Williams boss James Vowles said his car was up to 20kg overweight before the Chinese Grand Prix in March.

Safety features, the hybrid system and the batteries all add weight. Cutting another 60kg or more will mean big changes across the car, possibly including smaller dimensions, which Tombazis has also suggested.

What it means for fans

For now, nothing changes this season. Teams are focused on the remaining 2026 races, starting with the US Grand Prix in Austin, which begins at 4am on Monday, Malaysia time. But the direction is clear: smaller, lighter cars with simpler engines.

Key takeaways

• The FIA wants the next generation of F1 cars to be at least 60kg lighter than today's.
• The new rules could start in 2030 or 2031. The date is not yet fixed.
• A turbocharged V8 engine with a smaller electrical part is being studied.
• DRS has not been ruled out as an overtaking aid.
• Final numbers have not been agreed with teams.

FAQ

How heavy is a 2026 F1 car? The minimum weight under the 2026 rules is 768kg, around 30kg lighter than the previous generation.

Will F1 bring back V8 engines? The FIA is working towards a turbocharged V8 with a smaller electric part for the next rules, but nothing has been finalised.

When will the new rules start? The FIA is considering 2030 or 2031. No final decision has been announced.

Sources: Read Motorsport, GPFans, Motorsport Week, RacingNews365