Alpine Interim Team Principal Bruno Famin has become the latest to weigh in on Formula 1’s 2026 regulations, stating his belief that the future changes will produce “good cars”.
A major focus of the 2026 F1 regulations is the power unit, focusing on sustainability and real-world relevance playing on the changes being made.
The 1.6 litre turbocharged V6 hybrid powertrain will see increased electrification resulting in a near 50/50 power split between ICE (internal combustion engine) and electrical components.
This has caused concern amongst teams that energy recovery for the electrical component could be difficult to manage, but another focus of the regulations coming in 2026, limiting weight and reducing the size of the cars is where Famin believes positive results can be found.
“I’m convinced that we will find a way with the chassis technical regulation to make good cars, good sport,” Famin told Autosport.
Reports show that the FIA is targeting a weight reduction in the region of 50kg, reducing the wheelbase by 200mm and making the cars 10mm narrower.
However, the confirmation of the 2026 chassis regulations is some way off and teams won’t be able to conduct any wind tunnel or CFD simulations for 2026 cars until 1 January 2025.
The power unit regulations meanwhile, have been in place since 2022 and have had a direct part in attracting Audi, Ford (in partnership with Red Bull Powertrains) and Honda (returning in an official capacity) to sign up as 2026 PU manufacturers.
Famin, who serves as Vice President of Alpine Motorsports alongside his Interim Team Principal role also oversees power unit development for the Anglo-French outfit and is therefore qualified to talk on matters regarding future regulations for F1 power units.
When prompted to speak on the worries of relying on the electrical components of the 2026 F1 powertrains, Famin commented, “I think we all share the concern,” although the FIA already dismissed these concerns as “premature.”
“We are all working – Formula 1, the FIA, the teams, the PU manufacturers – to find the right final regulation for the cars,” Famin continued.
“I think the energy management, we can still work on that in the coming months. There is no hurry.
“What I have to say is that, now the PU technical regulation has been officialised quite a long time ago, one and a half year ago almost, all the PU manufacturers are working hard.
“They have made already very important choices in terms of the way we want to go, the technology we want to develop.
“Changing now won’t be a good thing. It’s not acceptable, clearly.”
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