P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Williams boss James Vowles believes that next year’s new F1 regulations will not see large performance gaps between teams, as seen in 2014.
Mercedes’ team principal, James Vowles, believes that the 2026 Formula 1 regulations will not result in significant performance gaps between teams, unlike in 2014.
The upcoming 2026 season will mark a substantial overhaul of the rules, with a focus on increased electric power, the removal of DRS, and a reduction in ground effect for the new cars.
Vowles, who played a significant role in Mercedes’ success in 2014, expressed doubt that any team would replicate the dominance that the German team had during that era.
The FIA’s single-seater director, Nikolas Tombazis, also shared Vowles’ sentiment, suggesting that the new regulations aim to prevent a manufacturer from gaining a massive advantage over others.
Tombazis elaborated on the concept of Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO), which is intended to prevent new manufacturers from falling behind and address cost gaps among power unit manufacturers.
Overall, both Vowles and Tombazis envision a more balanced competitive landscape in the upcoming 2026 Formula 1 season, with measures in place to minimize performance differentials between teams.
