Zak Brown expresses concerns that F1’s 2026 rules may disrupt the sport’s recent competitive balance.
McLaren F1 CEO Zak Brown remains unconvinced by the yet-to-be precisely published 2026 F1 rules by the FIA.
Teams have been given until October to refine the technical details of future cars with active aerodynamics, but the American admits to being “concerned” to date. His main fear, of course, is that the performance convergence seen in recent months might once again dissipate.
As with every F1 regulatory transition, there’s a potential shift in the hierarchy, with Red Bull having established a significant gap since the last change in 2022. Back in 2014, it was Mercedes F1 that took a dominant stance, reigning for many long years!
Currently, Red Bull is closely followed by McLaren, while Mercedes F1 has also regained a strong pace. A convergence in 2 years is still better than in 6 or 7 years for the previous generation of rules.
“There’s some concern that the 2026 rules might destabilize the convergence that has been achieved. But I believe F1 has always been about pushing technological development.”
“These rules are being implemented as per usual terms, procedures are followed, everyone is consulted, and we must stay true to what F1 is, and hope that the regulations the FIA is developing—since they are still under revision—will bring everyone closer from the start.”
Many are calling for F1 to delay the introduction of these new rules, as the current convergence promises an incredibly competitive end to the 2024 season and the 2025 season.
“If you delay them, it will bring the teams even closer together. But, at some point, you have to stay true to F1 and say ‘well, change of rules!’. It’s something that racing fans love in F1, it’s as much a constructors’ championship as a drivers’ championship, otherwise, you risk becoming IndyCar.”
“There’s nothing wrong with IndyCar, but IndyCar is already an existing category with its own specifics, F1 is a constructors’ affair.”
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F1 2026 Rules Threaten Current Team Balance F1 2026 Rules Threaten Current Team Balance
