F1 Beyond The Grid Nikolas Tombazis: the championship-winner shaping F1’s next generation
Jun 11, 2024
Nikolas Tombazis, FIA's Director of Single Seaters, discusses 2026 F1 regulations for sustainability and closer racing. He reflects on his F1 career with Schumacher and Raikkonen, McLaren challenges, and Ferrari disappointments. The interview covers his engineering background, family history, and the importance of talent in F1.
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2026 Power Unit Changes
- The 2026 power units will have less internal combustion power, but significantly increased electrical power.
- This shift promotes sustainability and simplifies engine design, potentially attracting new teams.
2026 Chassis Changes
- 2026 cars will be smaller, lighter, and have adjustable aerodynamics.
- These adjustments include narrower bodies, shorter lengths, reduced weight, and moving wings.
The Yeti Story
- Tombazis's grandfather, an explorer, claimed to have seen a Yeti in the Himalayas, a story Tombazis admired as a child.
- Later, Tombazis learned his grandfather thought it was a hermit, but journalists sensationalized the story.