Former F1 team boss Guenther Steiner has warned of a potential shake-up in the sport's competitive landscape as the 2026 car era approaches. Steiner predicts that the new regulations will create 'outliers' at the start, with some teams 'getting it completely wrong'.
F1 is set for its first major overhaul of the rules since 2022, as the series embraces a new era of smaller, lighter cars with active aero and redesigned power units. This shift aims to enhance the on-track spectacle, but Steiner believes it could also disrupt the current competitive order.
'The aerodynamic rules, the chassis rules are changing, and the cars will be completely different with new power units,' Steiner told Lottoland. 'There will be changeable aerodynamics, allowing teams to adjust their downforce and drag levels on the straights. It's a completely new game, and nobody knows who will be good or bad.'
Steiner expects some teams to excel, while others will struggle to adapt. 'Some people will get it right, and some will not. Those who don't will need to catch up. In the beginning, there will be some outliers - very fast cars, and maybe someone will get it completely wrong and be slow for a year or two.'
The former Haas team boss believes that change is essential for F1's development. 'Formula 1 always needs a change in regulations, because otherwise, all the cars end up the same and you stop developing technology. With the next generation of cars, sustainable fuels are being developed for the combustion engine, which could be huge for normal people on the road.'
However, Steiner also acknowledges the challenge of maintaining a level playing field. 'If you keep the regulations as they are now, I don't think there would be a lot of change. McLaren has developed such an advantage that it's very difficult for anyone to catch up.'
As the sport prepares for this significant shift, fans and teams alike will be eager to see how the new era unfolds. Will the 'outliers' at the start of the 2026 season become the new powerhouses, or will they struggle to keep up with the evolving landscape? Only time will tell, and the comments section is open for debate!
