P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen recently explained that he felt 2026 was not entirely a fresh start for F1 teams despite the huge rule changes.
Red Bull boss Laurent Mekies agrees with Max Verstappen’s view that the 2026 era in F1 is not entirely a fresh start despite the rule alterations. The upcoming season will see a significant overhaul in F1’s technical regulations, encompassing changes in both the engine and chassis realms, along with the incorporation of active aerodynamics. Despite the anticipated minimal carry-over from this season to the next due to the magnitude of the modifications, Verstappen believes there are still valuable insights for Red Bull to gather from the remaining races under the ground effect rules, a sentiment that Mekies concurs with. Mekies emphasized that while 2026 will provide a clean slate for designing the car and power unit, the existing personnel, methodologies, processes, and tools will remain the same, contributing to the transfer of knowledge for the new car. This approach aims to enhance the team’s confidence in their techniques and tools, facilitating a more informed design process for the 2026 vehicle. Mekies highlighted areas such as tire dynamics and car development, emphasizing the importance of understanding correlations and sensitivities for a successful transition to the new regulations.
