FIA President Issues Statement After Key 2026 Rule‑making Meeting

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem released a statement on Monday after a pivotal meeting on the 2026 Formula 1 regulations. He thanked the FIA staff, teams, drivers and power‑unit manufacturers for rapid, constructive collaboration despite a calendar gap. The president underscored safety and sporting fairness as the guiding principles for the forthcoming changes.

Why it matters:

• Safety and fairness are core to F1’s credibility; rule tweaks directly affect driver risk and competitive balance.
• The 2026 rule package shapes the sport’s technical direction for the next five years, influencing cost, sustainability and the engine war.
• A unified approach after a disrupted calendar reassures stakeholders and keeps the sport’s commercial momentum.

The details:

• Ben Sulayem praised the “constructive and collaborative work” delivered quickly by all parties.
• He highlighted drivers’ central role, thanking them for their “valuable input” throughout.
• The president noted an “unexpected calendar gap” but affirmed everyone stayed committed to the sport’s best interests.
• He reiterated the upcoming rule changes aim to fix issues seen in early races and preserve competition integrity.

What's next:

The FIA will finalize the technical specs and send the official 2026 rulebook to teams before the season opens. Teams will start development under the new parameters, while commercial partners gear up for a launch promising tighter racing and a clearer sustainability roadmap. Ben Sulayem’s remarks set a cooperative tone as F1 heads into an “exciting 2026 season.”