Source: USA TODAY Sports/Gary A. Vasquez
[Saba Sports News] British F1 engineer Adrian Newey stated in an interview with the German media outlet AMuS that after the implementation of the new technical regulations for the 2026 season, F1 may return to an “engine-dominant” pattern in the early stages of the new rules, similar to the situation at the beginning of the hybrid era in 2014. Newey revealed that he cannot think of a time in F1 history where both chassis and power unit regulations were significantly changed simultaneously, especially since the chassis rules have been deliberately designed to balance the influence of the power unit. This adds an extra dimension to the competition. In this scenario, it is very possible for one manufacturer to gain an absolute advantage. If this advantage lies in the internal combustion engine, someone might develop a dominant engine that maintains its lead throughout the regulatory cycle. According to the current rules, it is quite difficult for disadvantaged competitors to catch up. If they are only lagging in the electric system, there is still room for improvement. Theoretically, fuel development has some flexibility, but due to testing restrictions and the high optimization of power units, one cannot easily switch to a fuel that is not specifically designed for the engine.