Red Bull Director Reveals 'Huge Challenge' With 2026 F1 Regulations

Red Bull's Technical Director, Pierre Waché, is preparing for the 2026 Formula 1 season, which is set to introduce a major overhaul in regulations, posing what he describes as a "huge challenge" for all teams.

The 2026 changes are expected to be one of the most comprehensive to date, differing from past regulation shifts by simultaneously altering both the chassis and the power units. Historically, regulation changes focused either on aerodynamics or on engines, such as the introduction of hybrid engines in 2014.

Now, with the 2026 regulations, both aspects will be overhauled concurrently. This is part of a larger initiative by the FIA to promote innovation while aligning with Formula 1’s Net Zero 2030 aspirations.

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Cars will feature active aerodynamic components, with movable wings replacing the DRS to optimize both overtaking and cornering. Despite these new standards, an issue that Waché points out is the disconnect between the engine regulations and current car designs. With the new engines designed to deliver power differently, aligning them with current car architectures has proven difficult. Waché commented to Autosport:

"It has been improved, quite a lot improved. The combination of chassis and engine just remains hugely challenging in terms of characteristics, but that's the same for everyone.

"It is also too late now to discuss that. Even if the speed profile and experiences for the drivers are not what we would like to see from Formula 1, it is purely our job to build the fastest package. As a result, I no longer focus on what I personally think of the new rules."

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He added: "In my view, it does not make sense to come up with an engine that cannot work in the current cars."

Despite these challenges, Waché maintains optimism about Red Bull's potential under the new rules.

"I think it can still be a good show.

"I just have to do my job myself to the best of my ability and make sure that the people in the team can work to the best of their ability to ultimately deliver the best car. That is the only thing I get paid for."

For the latest F1 news, head over to F1 on SI.

2025 Formula One Season Schedule

Pre-Season Testing

Dates: 26-28 Feb
Location: Bahrain, Sakhir
Event Name: FORMULA 1 ARAMCO PRE-SEASON TESTING 2025
Circuit: Pre-Season Testing

Australia

Dates: 14-16 Mar
Location: Australia, Melbourne
Event Name: FORMULA 1 AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2025
Circuit: Melbourne circuit

China

Dates: 21-23 Mar
Location: China, Shanghai
Event Name: FORMULA 1 HEINEKEN CHINESE GRAND PRIX 2025
Circuit: Shanghai circuit

Japan

Dates: 04-06 Apr
Location: Japan, Suzuka
Event Name: FORMULA 1 LENOVO JAPANESE GRAND PRIX 2025
Circuit: Suzuka circuit

Bahrain

Dates: 11-13 Apr
Location: Bahrain, Sakhir
Event Name: FORMULA 1 BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX 2025
Circuit: Sakhir circuit

Saudi Arabia

Dates: 18-20 Apr
Location: Saudi Arabia, Jeddah
Event Name: FORMULA 1 STC SAUDI ARABIAN GRAND PRIX 2025
Circuit: Jeddah circuit

Miami

Dates: 02-04 May
Location: Miami, Miami
Event Name: FORMULA 1 CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX 2025
Circuit: Miami circuit

Emilia-Romagna

Dates: 16-18 May
Location: Emilia-Romagna, Imola
Event Name: FORMULA 1 AWS GRAN PREMIO DEL MADE IN ITALY E DELL'EMILIA-ROMAGNA 2025
Circuit: Imola circuit

Monaco

Dates: 23-25 May
Location: Monaco, Monaco
Event Name: FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX DE MONACO 2025
Circuit: Monaco circuit

Spain

Dates: 30 May-01 Jun
Location: Spain, Barcelona
Event Name: FORMULA 1 ARAMCO GRAN PREMIO DE ESPAÑA 2025
Circuit: Barcelona circuit

Canada

Dates: 13-15 Jun
Location: Canada, Montréal
Event Name: FORMULA 1 PIRELLI GRAND PRIX DU CANADA 2025
Circuit: Montréal circuit

Austria

Dates: 27-29 Jun
Location: Austria, Spielberg
Event Name: FORMULA 1 MSC CRUISES AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX 2025
Circuit: Spielberg circuit

Great Britain

Dates: 04-06 Jul
Location: Great Britain, Silverstone
Event Name: FORMULA 1 QATAR AIRWAYS BRITISH GRAND PRIX 2025
Circuit: Silverstone circuit

Belgium

Dates: 25-27 Jul
Location: Belgium, Spa-Francorchamps
Event Name: FORMULA 1 BELGIAN GRAND PRIX 2025
Circuit: Spa-Francorchamps circuit

Hungary

Dates: 01-03 Aug
Location: Hungary, Budapest
Event Name: FORMULA 1 LENOVO HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX 2025
Circuit: Budapest circuit

Netherlands

Dates: 29-31 Aug
Location: Netherlands, Zandvoort
Event Name: FORMULA 1 HEINEKEN DUTCH GRAND PRIX 2025
Circuit: Zandvoort circuit

Italy

Dates: 05-07 Sep
Location: Italy, Monza
Event Name: FORMULA 1 PIRELLI GRAN PREMIO D’ITALIA 2025
Circuit: Monza circuit

Azerbaijan

Dates: 19-21 Sep
Location: Azerbaijan, Baku
Event Name: FORMULA 1 QATAR AIRWAYS AZERBAIJAN GRAND PRIX 2025
Circuit: Baku circuit

Singapore

Dates: 03-05 Oct
Location: Singapore, Marina Bay
Event Name: FORMULA 1 SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX 2025
Circuit: Marina Bay circuit

United States

Dates: 17-19 Oct
Location: United States, Austin
Event Name: FORMULA 1 MSC CRUISES UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX 2025
Circuit: Austin circuit

Mexico

Dates: 24-26 Oct
Location: Mexico, Mexico City
Event Name: FORMULA 1 GRAN PREMIO DE LA CIUDAD DE MÉXICO 2025
Circuit: Mexico City circuit

Brazil

Dates: 07-09 Nov
Location: Brazil, São Paulo
Event Name: FORMULA 1 MSC CRUISES GRANDE PRÊMIO DE SÃO PAULO 2025
Circuit: São Paulo circuit

Las Vegas

Dates: 20-22 Nov
Location: Las Vegas, Las Vegas
Event Name: FORMULA 1 HEINEKEN SILVER LAS VEGAS GRAND PRIX 2025
Circuit: Las Vegas circuit

Qatar

Dates: 28-30 Nov
Location: Qatar, Lusail
Event Name: FORMULA 1 QATAR AIRWAYS QATAR GRAND PRIX 2025
Circuit: Lusail circuit

Abu Dhabi

Dates: 05-07 Dec
Location: Abu Dhabi, Yas Island
Event Name: FORMULA 1 ETIHAD AIRWAYS ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX 2025
Circuit: Yas Island circuit