Lewis Hamilton reveals major reason for massive F1 regulations change

Lewis Hamilton has pinpointed one of the key reasons for overhauling the F1 regulations heading into the 2026 season, highlighting that the championship is predicated on "challenging" those competing within it.

The comprehensive rules reset will see a new era with rewritten chassis and power unit specifications, marking the most significant change in a generation.

Whilst the past couple of amendments to F1's technical rulebook have focused on the chassis side of the regulations, with revised aerodynamics included within it, the impending dawn will see all-new engines, too.

It is the first time since 2014 that there have been substantive changes to that area of the championship, and it poses a considerable challenge for all the power unit providers — especially when coupled with new chassis.

Whilst the cars are getting lighter — by about 30kg — and smaller, and DRS has been abandoned, the introduction of active aerodynamics has proven contentious.

However, it is on the engine side of things that there has been the most intrigue and discussion. The 80/20 split between traditional combustion power and electrical power has been levelled to an even 50/50 division. This alone has posed several problems for teams to overcome.

And whilst many drivers have criticised the new cars after experiencing them in the simulator, Hamilton has opted to avoid being too negative about the situation.

"I think it's really, really hard to predict what it's going to be like," the seven-time F1 drivers' champion told media, including RacingNews365.

"So, I don't want to dog it, I don't want to say too many negative things. It feels so much different — I'm not sure you're going to like it..."

However, the British driver was quick to add that the new cars may, against the odds, subvert expectations.

He said:  "But maybe I'll be surprised, and maybe it'll be amazing. Maybe overtaking will be incredible. Maybe it'll be easier to overtake. I don't know.

"We have less downforce, more torque. Driving in the rain, I can imagine, is gonna be very, very, very tough. Much harder than it is already...

"But, as I said, we might arrive and have better grip than we anticipated. Whether you like the fact that we're downshifting at the end of the straight and different boost parameters..."

The introduction of overtake mode, which is the direct replacement for DRS, is similar to IndyCar's push-to-pass button, and joins boost mode, which has been used in F1 for a number of years.

Nonetheless, and despite the wholesale changes, Hamilton is looking at the situation glass half full, and insists F1 would be "easy" without regulations changes.

"But it is a massive challenge for us all," the 105-time grand prix winner added. "And I think that's really what the sport is about, right?

"It's about continuously challenging ourselves. If we just did the same thing all the time, it would be easy."