How much slimmer is the 2026 F1 car? Dimensions and weight
Shorter, narrower and lighter: 200 mm less wheelbase, thinner tyres and 32 kg less minimum weight. The measurements that change in 2026.
Summary
- The wheelbase is 200 mm shorter and the floor 100 mm narrower (according to Formula1.com).
- Tyres are thinner (25 mm at the front and 30 at the rear) and smaller in diameter.
- The minimum weight drops from 800 to 768 kg: 32 kg less.
- 1
A shorter car
The wheelbase is 200 millimetres shorter.
- 2
And narrower
The floor is 100 millimetres narrower.
- 3
Thinner tyres
The tread is 25 millimetres narrower at the front and 30 at the rear.
- 4
And smaller
The diameter is 15 millimetres smaller at the front and 30 at the rear.
- 5
The minimum weight drops
From 800 to 768 kilos, 32 less.
- 6
A big challenge
In 20 years the minimum weight had risen by around 200 kilos, so lowering it is hard. Formula1.com warns there is no guarantee teams will reach that minimum.
Where to see it on Formuradar
Did you get it?
Glossary
- Wheelbase
- The distance between the front and rear axles: the length of the car between the wheels. In 2026 it is 200 mm shorter.
- Ground effect
- A suction that sticks the car to the tarmac: air passing very fast through the floor tunnels lowers the pressure and pushes the car down. Used from 2022 to 2025.
Sources
- The wheelbase is 200 mm shorter, the floor 100 mm narrower, the tread 25 mm less at the front and 30 mm less at the rear, and the minimum weight drops from 800 to 768 kg. Formula1.com · 2026 regulations explained: all you need to know about F1's new aerodynamics
- In 20 years the minimum weight of F1 cars had risen by around 200 kg. Formula1.com · 2026 regulations explained: all you need to know about F1's new aerodynamics
- Sources disagree on some figures: Crash.net and SI mention a floor 150 mm narrower and The Race a minimum weight of 770 kg. Formula1.com's are used here. Crash.net · F1 2026 regulations: explaining changes to aero, chassis and engine rules
Sources checked on 18 October 2026. Valid for: 2026 regulations (sources differ on some figures). The explanations are popular-level: for the exact rules, check the FIA sporting regulations.
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