FIA’s Dirty Air Regulation Proposal Rejected by Formula 1 Teams

During the ongoing ground-effect regulatory cycle that began in 2022, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) explored the possibility of modifying Formula 1 technical rules in an effort to reduce the impact of dirty air.

However, recent statements from FIA leadership confirm that the proposed changes did not garner sufficient support from the teams, and therefore were not pursued, leaving the current aerodynamic challenges in place until the major 2026 overhaul.

Background: Ground-Effect and Turbulent Wake

When the 2022 Formula 1 regulations were introduced, they were designed to generate aerodynamic ground effect—producing most downforce from under the car rather than from complex wings—with the intention of enabling closer racing. While initially successful, ongoing technical developments by teams have gradually reintroduced stronger turbulent wakes behind cars. This « dirty air » phenomenon complicates the ability of trailing cars to follow closely and overtake.

FIA’s Mid-Cycle Proposal and Team Opposition

As concerns persisted through 2024 and 2025, the FIA considered introducing mid-cycle regulatory adjustments. Nikolas Tombazis, FIA Director of Single-Seater Technical Matters, acknowledged that discussions took place regarding these adjustments. However, he confirmed that the initiative “didn’t have enough support among the teams”, leading to its abandonment.

The Power of the Teams

Teams in Formula 1 have significant influence over regulatory changes. In many cases, amendments require a majority vote. The reluctance of teams to endorse the FIA’s mid-cycle changes likely reflects a desire to protect competitive advantages and avoid incurring additional development costs mid-season.

Implications for Future Regulations

The rejection of the mid-cycle proposal means that the core aerodynamic rules for the 2022–2025 era will remain largely as initially defined. As Formula 1 now looks ahead to the comprehensive regulation reset for 2026—which includes new aerodynamic, power unit, and hybrid system rules—the management of dirty air remains a central technical focus.

Conclusion

Despite the FIA’s efforts to address the persistent issue of dirty air through mid-cycle rule adjustments, the proposal did not receive enough backing from F1 teams. The decision underscores the political balance between the governing body and the competing teams. As the sport transitions to its next epoch of technical regulations in 2026, the issue of aerodynamic wake remains a key consideration for stakeholders seeking to enhance racing quality.

Sources

Autosport: FIA considered mid-cycle rule change to combat dirty air but lacked support
GPBlog: FIA explains reasons for dropping proposed mid-cycle change
F1i.com: Analysis of FIA’s attempt to address dirty air during ground-effect era
PlanetF1: The challenge of overtaking in the current era

F1 Teams Block FIA’s Mid-Cycle Proposal to Combat Dirty Air