--- title: "2026 F1 Cars Are Over a Second Slower Per Lap, But FIA Says ‘It Doesn’t Matter’" date: "2025-08-22" modified: "2025-08-22" authors: - name: "Jerry Perez" job_title: "Deputy Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/jerry-perez" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/2026-f1-cars-are-over-a-second-slower-per-lap-but-fia-says-it-doesnt-matter" categories: - "F1" - "News" - "Racing" --- # 2026 F1 Cars Are Over a Second Slower Per Lap, But FIA Says ‘It Doesn’t Matter’ ![Spa, Belgium. 26-28 August 2022. F1 World Championship. Belgian Grand Prix. Formula 1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG Markus Duesmann and Member of the Board of Management for Technical Development Oliver Hoffmann reveal Audi’s liveried showcar in the pit lane at Spa.]() *\Cristiano Barni\* [Formula 1]() teams have been laser-focused on the 2026 regulations for quite some time, but it won't be until they get closer to next year's pre-season testing that they'll have a better understanding of their new beasts. For now, all they can do is meticulously analyze driving simulator and wind tunnel data to make educated predictions. And so far, one of those predictions is considerably slower lap times. Speaking to *[Motorsport.com]()*, FIA single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis admitted that current simulations for 2026 cars (specifically aero packaging) reveal lap times up to 1.5 seconds slower than the current cars. “In our simulations, the new cars will be between one and two-and-a-half seconds slower at the start of the regulations, and clearly there will be evolution that will make them gain speed," Tombazis told *Motorsport*. “In fairness, we don't have data from all the teams, we don't know the exact levels of downforce from all the teams. Potentially, some teams that don't get it right initially may be a bit slower than our simulations, but we don't expect lap times to be a talking point.” More shockingly, however, is Tombazi's reaction to drivers, teams, and fans' concerns about slower lap times and F1 becoming a race of energy (and tire) management. The former designer for Benetton, McLaren, and most recently, Ferrari, shrugged this off, claiming to be "surprised" and that "it actually doesn't matter." "I do get a bit surprised by how much emphasis is put on the actual lap times,” said Tombazis. “We've had various phases of the sport when cars have been slower or faster, and I think once you are used to it, it's okay. If you walk out of a simulator or in real life go from one car to another car that is one second and a half slower, you initially think ‘this is not a good car’, because you feel that second and a half. But I think once you've driven that a bit, then it actually doesn't matter. ![Lewis Hamilton of the UK drives the (44) Scuderia Ferrari HP SF-25 Ferrari during the Formula 1 Lenovo Hungarian Grand Prix 2025 in Budapest, Hungary, on August 3, 2025. (Photo by Gabriele Lanzo/Alessio Morgese/NurPhoto via Getty Images)]() **Getty* NurPhoto* “I really don't think the lap times are going to be a factor once people get used to these cars. I think it's a comment you make initially when you see the delta, but I don't think it will be a factor frankly, nor will it be hugely different from now," he added. I find it somewhat shocking that the top ranks of the FIA aren't concerned about slower lap times for the most modern and advanced F1 cars. Traveling to two dozen racetracks around the world knowing that you'll lap them considerably slower than in years prior can't be a good feeling for the drivers, engineers, mechanics, and other personnel across the paddock. If you aren't focusing on speed and lap-time performance, then what exactly will you be focusing on? However, like most complex situations, F1 car performance isn't an entirely black-and-white issue. And as Tombazis rightfully highlighted, F1 cars have been slower or faster throughout the years due to engine, tire, aero, and safety regulations. It certainly wouldn't be the first time a new car laps a circuit slower than before. So while there's no reason to freak out over the first iteration of the new rules, the pain point remains that these new cars are wildly more complex and much more expensive to develop, but at the end of the day, they'll be slower. Do you think lap times matter? ## Author Jerry is responsible for upholding The Drive's ethos as an audience-first, enthusiast-driven car blog that serves up industry-leading news, reviews, culture, and motorsport coverage. Overseeing a staff of writers and editors from his home base in Indianapolis, he helps curate the site's daily rundown, as well as its medium- and long-term content strategies. Jerry joined The Drive in 2018 as a writer and worked as news editor and managing editor before becoming the deputy in 2023. As a lifelong car enthusiast and racing fan, Jerry believes that all cars are cool, but the people behind the machines are even cooler. This belief often gives The Drive a slightly different focus from most other car sites, where we explore the humanity behind the machines. When he's not obsessing over the day's biggest stories or hanging out at a race track, Jerry can be found behind the wheel of a car, most likely sharing a laugh with his teenage son or daughter. ### Author social links [Instagram]()