James Allison, the Technical Director of Mercedes, has called for Formula 1 to halt and reverse the “inexorable upward trend” in car weights, urging the sport to make cars lighter. Over the past decade, the minimum weight of an F1 car has increased significantly, from 642kg in 2013 to 798kg in 2023. This added weight has had a negative impact on the excitement of racing, particularly at circuits like Monaco, where the size and mass of the cars make overtaking extremely challenging.
Recognizing the issue, Formula 1 aims to address the weight problem with the next set of regulation changes in 2026. Both Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1, and the heads of the FIA have expressed their desire to make the cars lighter. However, Domenicali acknowledged that it is a complex problem to solve, requiring innovative solutions.
