Formula 1 has presented a modified calendar for 2026, reduced to 22 Grands Prix. The cancellation of races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, due to regional instability, leaves an April without competition and a break of more than a month between Japan and Miami. This unusual pause offers a respite to the teams, but entails an estimated economic loss of nearly 100 million in organization fees.
The FIA is studying adjustments to technical development deadlines and the ADUO 🛠️
This calendrical break forces a rethinking of development schedules. The FIA is evaluating modifications to component homologation deadlines, including the ADUO (Aerodynamic Drag and Underfloor Optimization) system, so that teams can take advantage of the extra time. The additional margin could allow for longer evolution cycles and simulator testing, albeit within current budget limits.
Operation 'Keep the engineers busy' in standby mode 😅
With a whole month without travel, teams face the dilemma of how to prevent their engineers from getting bored. It is rumored that intensive gardening courses will be offered or that the FIA will propose a wing design contest using only paper and adhesive tape. Logistics appreciates the rest, but the human resources department fears an epidemic of 5000-piece puzzles in the factory.