No matter the rule set, if there’s one thing F1 never relents on its safety improvements. The new cars have given the FIA the chance to make some key changes to keep drivers safe.
New for 2026 are Lateral Safety Lights which must be illuminated in wet conditions. Under Article C14.7 of the Technical Regulations “all cars must be fitted with two lateral safety lights (one on each side of the car), which must be supplied by an FIA designated manufacturer”. The lights must be fitted to the front of the wing mirrors. These help make the cars easier to see in rough weather conditions should they be facing sideways on the track. There are also changes to structure of the rear lights which are lighter and more robust.
More correctly, we’re getting a new two-stage front impact structure to enhance driver safety. This new design features a more robust, two-part nose that ensures a portion of the structure remains attached to the chassis to protect against secondary impacts, improving on previous systems.
F1 is strengthening the roll hoop structure to enhance driver safety, increasing load resistance requirements by approximately 23%. The updated regulations require the roll hoop to handle up to 172 kN or 20G.
