Norris Reflects on Title Win as F1 Tweaks 2026 Wet Weather Rules

Lando Norris secured his first Formula 1 World Championship by finishing third in the Abu Dhabi finale, edging out Max Verstappen by two points to prevent the Dutchman from claiming a fifth consecutive title. Meanwhile, F1 has introduced a last-minute rule tweak for the 2026 technical regulations to address teams' fears of potential disqualifications in wet conditions.

Why it matters:

Norris's championship victory marks a significant shift in the F1 hierarchy, breaking Red Bull's recent dominance and capping a remarkable personal turnaround in form during the season. Concurrently, the proactive adjustment to the 2026 rules before the cars even hit the track highlights the complex challenges of the new technical era and the sport's effort to preemptively solve competitive and sporting integrity issues.

The details:

• Norris's path to the title was not straightforward. He acknowledged a shaky first half of the season but capitalized on errors from his McLaren teammate, Oscar Piastri, and a strong second-half performance to clinch the championship.
• The 2026 rule change centers on the new active aerodynamics system. Simulations revealed that in fully wet races, cars running maximum downforce setups—with both front and rear wings in a high-downforce position—risk excessive wear on their titanium skid blocks.
• This wear could cause the skid blocks to fall below the legal thickness limit by the end of a race, leading to potential disqualifications, particularly at bumpy circuits like Albert Park in Melbourne.
• As a solution, the FIA has approved a new partial active aero mode for wet conditions. Teams will now be permitted to run with the rear wing in a high-downforce position while keeping the front wing down, a configuration aimed at reducing load on the skid blocks and mitigating the disqualification risk.

The big picture:

The 2026 regulations represent the most significant technical overhaul in a generation, mandating a 50/50 power split between internal combustion and electrical energy. While designed to make the cars more efficient and raceable, this late adjustment shows that unforeseen practical challenges are still emerging. It underscores the delicate balance between innovation, regulation, and ensuring fair competition as the sport enters a new era.

What's next:

All eyes will now be on how teams develop their 2026 challengers with this revised regulation in hand. For Norris and McLaren, the challenge shifts to defending their hard-won titles against a motivated field, including a Verstappen and Red Bull team undoubtedly eager to reclaim their position at the top.