Ocon: Strict F1 aero rules must prevail in 2026 to level playing field

Esteban Ocon has thrown his weight behind the FIA’s proposed aerodynamic regulations for the 2026 Formula 1 season, urging the governing body to maintain a tight grip on the ruleset.

The Frenchman believes that restrictive regulations are crucial to creating a more competitive grid and delivering the kind of racing fans crave.

The upcoming rule changes will introduce active aerodynamics, a shallower floor, and narrower, shorter cars. While several teams have expressed concerns about the restrictions imposed by the new regulations, Ocon believes they are essential to prevent a select few teams from dominating the sport.

While this year’s campaign has so far seen 14 wins split between four teams and seven drivers, Ocon argues that even more teams must be made capable of challenging for victories, ensuring a more level playing field across the grid.

"I disagree with the fact that we see different winners," commented the future Haas charger, quoted by Motorsport.com.

"Yes, McLaren, Red Bull, Mercedes, Ferrari, they're still the same ones there was a long time ago, and a long time before. McLaren has joined them, so one team managed, basically, in that regulation change to make it through.

"There is a constructors' championship and there's still 'which team is the best' which counts. But all the cars should be within three or four tenths.

• Read also: Ocon lifts the lid on internal issues at Alpine

Ocon is particularly concerned about teams pushing for relaxation of the aerodynamic rules.

"I see that [the new rules are] very restricted on many different things aero-wise, and I see teams are pushing to open it more. So I hope FIA is going to be very tight on that to say, 'no, we don't push it more open'.

The Frenchman is convinced that tighter restrictions will lead to closer racing.

"Because if that's the case, then it's going to be up to who does the best job inside the weekend, more than the overall development of the car.

"What do we love as fans? We love racing, we love close wheel-to-wheel combat, we love a lot of fights for the lead, until the end of the race.

"We care a lot less about who has the best development through the season, that is not very cool to watch on TV on Sunday."

Ocon’s ideal scenario is a grid where multiple teams can challenge for wins, similar to what he experienced in Formula 3 and DTM. He even cited Formula E as an example of a series with closely matched competition.

"As a fan of the sport and as a driver, what I want to see is ten cars to be able to win a weekend. Like we had in Formula 3, like we had in DTM at times.”

While acknowledging the importance of power units in the overall performance package, Ocon believes that aerodynamics have a far greater impact.

"I hope that there will be some difference with a little bit of difference between the power units in '26. But that aero-wise it's going to be quite fixed. Not like Formula E, but almost, that's what I wish.

"[The power unit has] a lot less of an impact than you think it does. It is a performance factor, very much so, but nothing compared to the aero development and all the rest of it.

"It's 10% of the whole package. So that's what I'm saying: power unit fine, but keep everything else restricted!"

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