Lewis Hamilton admits he is concerned that Formula 1’s new rules might not go far enough.
The sports governing body the FIA has unveiled plans for cars to be made smaller, lighter, nimbler and more environmentally friendly from the 2026 season.
Cars will be 30kg lighter, 10cm narrower and have engines powered by sustainable fuels and combining electric and internal combustion power.
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Hamilton has long called for cars to be made lighter but told BBC Sport he is worried the changes do not go far enough and might still leave the cars feeling sluggish.
He said: “It’s only 30kg so it’s going in the right direction but they’re still heavy.
“I have spoken to some drivers who have driven it on the simulator (although) I haven’t. They said it’s pretty slow so we will see if it’s the right direction or not.
“But in terms of sustainability, particularly on the power-unit side, that’s a really bold step and it’s going in the right direction.
“We have just got to make sure the cars are efficient, fast and a step forwards and actually racing is improved.”
The FIA described the concept at the heart of the 2026 rules as cars being more “nimble.”
New aerodynamic technology will help optimise the engines with front and rear wings that open on the straights to reduce drag and increase speed, but then close to increase downforce for cornering performance.
The current DRS (drag reduction system) aid for overtaking will be replaced by a power-boost system to help cars move past vehicles in their way.
With F1 having pledged to go net-zero carbon by 2030, the new hybrid engines will see three times more electric power utilised to bring the balance closer to 50-50 with internal combustion and have led to Audi and Ford choosing to join the sport while Honda has overturned its decision to leave F1.
There will be six engine manufacturers from 2026 with Ford linking up with Red Bull Powertrains along with Honda, Audi, Mercedes, Ferrari and Renault.
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said: “The key features of the 2026 regulations are advanced, sustainable technology and safety.
“Our aim, together with F1, was to produce a car that was right for the future of the sport’s elite category. We believe we have achieved that goal.”
There have been concerns the new rules might lead to the sport becoming less competitive at a time when the field has begun to close.
McLaren’s Lando Norris told BBC Sport: “There is going to be another change just as the sport gets exciting again,” Norris said. “I guess there are reasons for it but I don’t want it to go the opposite way. Especially with how complicated it is.
“You could have massive gaps and then people are going to say it’s boring again. Right now it is as exciting as it has been for a very long time.”
