CANADA: The Federation Internationale de l’Automobile showcased on Friday a more competitive, safer and sustainable future for the F1 World Championship with the presentation of the technical regulations that will define the sport from 2026 onwards.
“Today, the FIA is defining a hugely exciting future for the pinnacle of motorsport with the launch of a comprehensive new set of regulations for the 2026 FIA Formula One World Championship and beyond,” FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said.
Developed in consultation with the FIA Formula 1 technical working groups and formulated in collaboration with F1, the sport’s 10 teams, original equipment manufacturers and power unit manufacturers, the regulations were revealed in Montreal ahead of this weekend’s 2024 FIA Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix.
The 2026 regulations are set to be officially ratified by the World Motor Sport Council on June 28, 2024.
“Following the publication of 2026 power unit regulations two years ago we have taken the opportunity to redefine the chassis regulations to match the energy requirement of the new power units,” Ben Sulayem said.
“Collaborating with our partners at Formula 1 and with the assistance of the sport’s 10 teams and all our stakeholders, this represents a unique revision that will ensure our premier championship is even more relevant to what is happening in the world,” he said.
The power unit regulations had resulted in a record number of PU manufacturers committing to the sport, according to the FIA president.
“And now, in tandem with chassis regulations that provide for lighter, more agile cars featuring innovative aerodynamic solutions, we have created a set of regulations designed to not only improve racing but also to make the championship even more attractive to PU manufacturers, OEMs and existing competitors.
“The key features of the 2026 F1 Regulations are advanced, sustainability technology and safety. Our aim, together with Formula 1, was to produce a car that was right for the future of the sport’s elite category. We believe we have achieved that goal,” he said.
FIA showcases future-focused F1 regulations for 2026 and beyond
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FIA showcases future-focused F1 regulations for 2026 and beyond
- “Today, the FIA is defining a hugely exciting future for the pinnacle of motorsport,” FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said
- The 2026 regulations are set to be officially ratified by the World Motor Sport Council on June 28
Lando Norris shrugs off gremlins with record lap for Monaco pole
- 25-year-old Briton clocked a best lap in one minute and 9.954 seconds to outpace local hero and last year’s winner Charles Leclerc
MONACO: Lando Norris shrugged off his gremlins and revived his world championship bid on Saturday when he became the fastest driver in the history of the Monaco Grand Prix to claim pole position for Sunday’s classic race.
Driving with impeccable judgment, pace and purpose, the 25-year-old Briton clocked a best lap in one minute and 9.954 seconds to outpace local hero and last year’s winner Charles Leclerc of Ferrari by 0.109.
It was the first time any driver had lapped the sinuous barrier-lined Mediterranean street circuit in less than 70 seconds and came only seconds after Leclerc had appeared to have secured his fourth Monaco pole position.
For Norris it was his first Monaco pole, his second this year and the 11th of his career — and a critical advantage for the slowest and shortest circuit of the season where only 10 drivers have won from lower than third on the grid since 1950.
While a disappointed Leclerc lamented traffic that hampered his first flying run, affecting his overall rhythm, Norris was buoyant after ending a dismal run in qualifying and falling 13 points behind McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri in the drivers’ title race.
“The team has done a fantastic job so thank you to everyone here and back at the factory,” he said. “These days don’t come easy and I am proud to give something back to them.
“It’s been a long time coming. I feel good and I don’t think you realize how good this feels with quite a few struggles over the last couple of months, especially here in Monaco. It’s a beautiful place and the hardest track probably to do it.
“Up against the home-town hero (Leclerc), I’m very proud of the whole team so I am pleased after all the hard work in the last few months.”
Norris’s McLaren team-mate and championship leader Oscar Piastri was third ahead of seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton in the second Ferrari, four-time champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull and remarkable rookie Isack Hadjar of RB.
Norris agreed that his mentality had been a key part of his success after admitting to self-doubts in recent weeks.
“Honestly, that’s the tricky part and to consistently find a lap time because you know it’s what the others are going to be doing and improving more and more.
“You’ve got to take a similar amount of risks, but when you get to Q3, the final lap is just about who can risk a little bit more and commit a little bit more.
“It was a nice and well put together lap and it feels very good when you cross the line and you know it’s all paid off.”
He said he had not considered the mandatory two pit-stops strategy required on Sunday.
“Honestly, at the minute, I have no idea. I’m going to enjoy today and I’ve worked hard for today. I’m happy with qualifying and I’m going to live the moment a little bit and then I will focus on tomorrow.”
Team-mate Piastri, who leads him by 13 points after seven of this year’s 24 races, admitted he had endured a messy two days of practice and qualifying.
“I think I’ve hit more walls this weekend than I have in my whole career so it’s been untidy. I’ve been struggling to get into the groove a little bit and I think in qualifying I was much happier with things and I felt pretty good.
“We’ve been doing some digging this weekend and to come out with this result is a decent effort.”
He added: “We’re in good positions, but it’s still going to be an exciting race tomorrow with the two-stop so let’s see what happens.”
Last year’s winner and local hero Leclerc said: “I’m just frustrated. We know we don’t have the car for wins this year.”
Leclerc fastest in Monaco practice as Hamilton crashes
- Leclerc clocked a best lap of one minute and 10.953 seconds
- Ferrari and Leclerc are hoping for a repeat of their emotional 2024 triumph
MONACO: Charles Leclerc completed a hat-trick of perfect practice runs on Saturday when he topped the times for Ferrari at the Monaco Grand Prix, as Lewis Hamilton crashed into the barriers.
Leclerc, who last year became the first Monegasque winner of his home event in the Formula One era, clocked a best lap of one minute and 10.953 seconds — the only driver to dip below one minute and 11 seconds — to beat Max Verstappen by 0.280 seconds.
Ferrari and Leclerc are hoping for a repeat of their emotional 2024 triumph, but their mood was spoiled when the Monegasque’s teammate Hamilton crashed on entry to Casino Square to end the session with a red flag.
He was unhurt, but it was an uncharacteristic setback for the Briton who had looked fast and strong.
Hamilton was running in the turbulent air behind Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes and Esteban Ocon of Haas when he lost downforce and hit the barriers.
Lando Norris was third fastest for McLaren ahead of team-mate and championship leader Oscar Piastri, Hamilton and Williams’ Alex Albon.
Liam Lawson of Racing Bull was an impressive seventh ahead of Carlos Sainz in the second Williams, Yuki Tsunoda of Red Bull and Antonelli.
After a slow start the session burst into life by the halfway mark with Hamilton, Norris and Leclerc trading fastest laps before Verstappen took control.
To the delight of the local audience, Leclerc regained top spot in 1:11.179 on his softs and then went even quicker to move two-tenths clear before the session stopped for a red flag when Hamilton smacked the barriers at Massenet, damaging his right front and rear wheels.
He was unhurt and climbed clear.
“Sorry guys, I’ve hit the wall,” said Hamilton, left hoping his car could be repaired in time for qualifying later Saturday.
Ben Sulayem leads FIA to major financial recovery with best results in almost a decade
- Global motorsport organization returns to profit in FY2024, reversing years of deficits
Dubai: The Federation Internationale de l’Automobile has reported its strongest financial performance in almost 10 years, marking a significant turnaround under the presidency of Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
According to figures released this week, the global governing body for motorsport and mobility organisations achieved an operating result of €4.7 million ($5.2 million) for the fiscal year 2024, a dramatic recovery from the €24 million loss recorded in 2021, the year before Ben Sulayem took office.
The turnaround is attributed to a wide-ranging strategic transformation led by the administration. Since taking office, Ben Sulayem has prioritized reforms in financial governance, transparency and operational efficiency across the organization.
“Upon my election as president of the FIA, I committed to ensuring a profitable operation,” said Ben Sulayem. “Today, I am incredibly proud to show that we have achieved this mission, delivering the strongest set of financial results in eight years.”
The FIA reported a total operating income of €182 million for 2024, a 17 percent year-on-year increase, with no outstanding financial debt and an equity ratio of 45 percent, signaling improved financial stability.
Key reforms introduced since 2021 include strengthened procurement controls, the introduction of quarterly internal reporting and a robust financial steering model. These changes have improved budget oversight and allowed the FIA to better allocate resources in line with its strategic objectives across both motorsport and mobility.
The federation also introduced a mid-year general assembly, ensuring more timely financial accountability, and will publish its second consecutive annual activity report ahead of the 2024 general assembly in June. The latest report will include a newly enhanced profit and loss presentation format aimed at increasing transparency.
The improved financial position enables the FIA to reinvest in its core programs, including support for 245 member clubs worldwide and the development of the seven world championships under its governance. It also strengthens the FIA’s ability to deliver on key objectives, including sustainability initiatives and grassroots motorsport development.
A nonprofit organization, the FIA is now well positioned to build on its financial recovery and continue delivering on its broader mandate to promote safe, accessible and sustainable motorsport on a global scale.
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen wins F1’s Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix to end Piastri’s streak
- Dutch driver built a commanding lead which was wiped out when the safety car bundled the field back up
- Verstappen held on to take his second win of the season, and first since last month’s Japanese Grand Prix
IMOLA, Italy: Max Verstappen gave his Formula 1 title defense a big boost with victory at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix on Sunday after a daring overtake on standings leader Oscar Piastri at the start.
The Dutch driver built a commanding lead which was wiped out when the safety car bundled the field back up. He still held on to win ahead of Lando Norris, who overtook his McLaren teammate Piastri for second with five laps remaining.
Verstappen took his second win of the season, and first since last month’s Japanese Grand Prix, and denied Piastri — who finished third — what would have been his fourth win in a row.
Verstappen praised his Red Bull team’s “fantastic execution all round” as the team marked its 400th F1 race with a win.
“The start itself wasn’t particularly great, but I was still on the outside line, or basically the normal (racing) line, and I was like, ‘Well, I’m just going to try and send it round the outside,’ and it worked really well,” Verstappen said of his crucial overtake. “That, of course, unleashed our pace because once we were in the lead, the car was good.”
Norris’ late-race move on Piastri was almost a copy of Verstappen’s, though Norris had the advantage of being on fresher tires than his teammate.
“We had a good little battle at the end between Oscar and myself, which is always tense, but always good fun,” Norris said, admitting that Verstappen and Red Bull were “too good for us today.”
Piastri’s lead over Norris in the standings was cut to 13 points, with Verstappen nine behind Norris.
Hamilton bounces back
Lewis Hamilton recovered from 12th on the grid to finish fourth in his first race for Ferrari in Italy.
Hamilton profited from a late-race fight between his teammate Charles Leclerc and Alex Albon of Williams.
Albon complained Leclerc had pushed him off the track as they battled for fourth, and Hamilton passed both drivers before Ferrari eventually asked Leclerc to yield fifth to Albon.
George Russell was seventh for Mercedes, ahead of Carlos Sainz, Jr. in the second Williams. Isack Hadjar was ninth for Racing Bulls and Verstappen’s Red Bull teammate Yuki Tsunoda was 10th after starting last following a crash in qualifying.
An action-packed ‘farewell’ to Imola
Overtaking was expected to be rare in what could be F1’s last race for the foreseeable future at Imola. Instead, the Italian fans were treated to Verstappen’s spectacular move at the start and plenty of other overtakes.
The narrow, bumpy Imola track has been a favorite among drivers, who have relished its old-school challenge since it returned to the F1 schedule during the COVID-19 pandemic. Still, its status as Italy’s second race — only the United States also hosts more than one — makes its position vulnerable.
“If we don’t come back here, it is going to be a shame,” Piastri said Saturday.
Sunday’s race was the last under Imola’s current contract, and while it isn’t officially goodbye yet, there has been no word about next year.
Piastri on pole for Emilia-Romagna GP as Ferrari struggles
- Piastri seemed to lose valuable time getting past cars toward the end of his final qualifying lap
- George Russell took third for Mercedes
IMOLA, Italy: Oscar Piastri fought his way through traffic to take pole position in the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix on Saturday as Ferrari had a terrible session, with neither car in the top 10.
Piastri seemed to lose valuable time getting past cars toward the end of his final qualifying lap but it still proved enough as Max Verstappen fell just .034 of a second short of the Australian’s time.
That gives Piastri a big advantage in Sunday’s race at a track where overtaking is notably difficult.
George Russell took third for Mercedes, pushing Piastri’s McLaren teammate and title rival Lando Norris down to fourth.
It was a tough day for the home fans as Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton and Formula 1’s sole Italian driver, Kimi Antonelli, all qualified outside the top 10. All three were caught out by rivals improving their times at the end of the second part of qualifying, with Leclerc 11th, Hamilton 12th and Antonelli 13th.
Earlier in the session, heavy crashes for Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda and Alpine’s Franco Colapinto brought out the red flag.
