FIA cautions about exploiting loopholes in the 2026 regulations.
"That would spell disaster for that team."
18 September 2025 - 12:04
FIA single-seater chief Nikolas Tombazis has cautioned Formula 1 teams against exploiting regulatory loopholes as the sport gets ready for significant changes in 2026. Drawing comparisons to the notorious 'double diffuser' issue of 2009, Tombazis informed Formula Passion that the governing body will take a firmer stance this time around.
"In that instance, there was communication between the FIA and some teams, but not with all of them. That’s why some interpreted the rules differently," he stated. "At the same time, it is absolutely essential for us to ensure the rules are clear for everyone."
He emphasized that teams have been explicitly informed that ambiguity will not be accepted. "We have clearly communicated to the teams that we will not permit anyone to exploit loopholes in the regulations that they have concealed from us," he remarked. "If a team proposes a solution based on a particular interpretation of the rules without seeking our clarification, we will never heed their request. If someone develops a 50-50 concept based on an unclear interpretation, it would be disastrous for that team."
Tombazis also mentioned Mercedes’ 'DAS' steering system from 2020 as another example. "They approached us after they had implemented it. They took a risk. We intend to avoid similar situations in the future."
The FIA has committed to providing clarifications to all teams equally, he pointed out. "If teams seek any clarification and we deem it pertains to a less clear grey area, we will ensure that all teams receive the same information," he stated.
The Greek official further warned that the first year under the new chassis and engine regulations may lead to a broad performance disparity. "Not all teams will be prepared by 2026," Tombazis noted. "Some will not reach their optimal level, while others may have misinterpreted something at the outset and will need to catch up. It is likely that, during the initial phases, there will be significant variations in performance," he was quoted as saying by Virgilio Motori.
With projects currently deep in simulation stages, Tombazis mentioned that discussions with teams and manufacturers continue. "We’ve been evaluating the challenges the teams face in simulations and working together to find solutions. It’s a process that is close to completion, but it’s not finished yet."
He also emphasized the FIA’s authority to intervene independently for safety reasons. "For sporting and technical matters, agreement between the teams is needed to modify the regulations. However, concerning safety, no agreement is required. If we identify a risk, we would never allow it to be ignored."
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