Brown admits 'concern' over 2026 F1 regulation change

McLaren CEO Zak Brown has admitted he holds an element of “concern” over the 2026 F1 regulation changes.

The rule change will see the cars undergo several major alterations, primarily to the aerodynamic and power unit components of the cars.

As is the case with every F1 regulation transition, it presents the chance for a shift in the pecking order, with Red Bull pulling a large gap to the competition when the last change occurred in 2022.

F1's current state has Red Bull being closely chased by McLaren, while Mercedes has also found strong pace at recent events.

Brown has confessed he is worried the latest rule change could take away the unpredictable factor from race weekends.

“[There is] a little bit of concern that it will bring that out of balance,” Brown told media including RacingNews365. 

“But I think F1 has always been about developing technology.

“These rules have been in place for the usual terms so I think we have to stay true to what F1 is, and hope that the regulations that the FIA are coming up with, because they're still being massaged, get everyone closer together from the word go.”

F1 risks becoming IndyCar without changes

However, Brown detailed the flip side of the argument, suggesting F1 will become a spec-series if it doesn't continue to alter its regulations.

“There is risk there, but then the problem becomes, if you delay them, it will just get closer and closer,” he said. 

“At some point, you've got to stay true to F1 and go ‘right, ruleset change’.

“That is something that race fans love about F1, is that it's a constructors’ championship as much as there's a drivers’ championship, otherwise you run the risk of becoming IndyCar.

“There's nothing wrong with IndyCar but IndyCar is spec racing for the most part, F1 is about constructors.”