2026 will bring a revolutionary change to Formula 1 as a whole. Not only will Audi be entering, potentially joined by an 11th team Andretti, but there will also be major changes to the cars and regulations, with the engine and aerodynamics being severely changed.

The FIA, which recently questioned their own cost cap system, has clarified that it will be aiming to attain a more sustainable future for F1. To attain this, FIA head of single-seater racing Nikolas Tombazis said that F1 considering a step forward with one of three methods being used, between sustainable fuels, hydrogen, and electric power. He also confirms that the direction of development of the new F1 engine will be correlated with road car’s development.

But we always want to remain relevant to what the OEMs that are participating want to do. We cannot go in a completely random direction that is not related to the road car. 
We need to remain road relevant, that is the key objective, and I think anyone who walks around the paddock can see there is a huge amount of challenge to tackle

Nikolas Tombazis said, as reported by motorsport.com

The current changes for 2026 remain unchanged, as F1 will be shifting to a 50-50 balance between the ICE and the battery. However, after that, it remains uncertain as F1 is considering hydrogen-related steps pioneered by the new Extreme H series.

FIA clarifies plans to reduce carbon emissions in F1

Formula 1 has been shifting to a lower amount of emissions for quite some time now, with some major steps made to make the pinnacle of motorsport more sustainable and ready for the future. With road cars moving the same way, F1 must follow suit and replicate the movement in the sport.

F1 has a clear goal set, which is to reduce carbon emissions to absolute zero by 2030. Nikolas Tombazis clarified that F1 has already reached approximately just 2% carbon emissions, and so F1 will be more inclined towards developing the other 98% that will shape the future of the sport.

The element of the cars themselves, as a proportion of the overall carbon footprint is less than 2% overall. So it's obvious that our overall responsibility for the sport needs to tackle also the other 98%.

Nikolas Tombazis said as reported by motorsport.com

Formula 1’s shift to sustainable sources does come with some problems countering the same, especially concerning the race calendar. With events spanning the whole world and not scheduled efficiently, carbon emissions caused by transport and travel could pose a problem.

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