What's the old saying?

[Andy B]

If it ain't broke don't fix it!
So why do F1 need new regulations, new cars and new engines for 2026?
Baffles me!!

[John S]

If it ain't broke don't fix it!
So why do F1 need new regulations, new cars and new engines for 2026?
Baffles me!!

Audi wouldn't have joined is the simple answer. 

[Andy B]

If it ain't broke don't fix it!
So why do F1 need new regulations, new cars and new engines for 2026?
Baffles me!!

Audi wouldn't have joined is the simple answer. 

I'm not so sure!

[John S]

If it ain't broke don't fix it!
So why do F1 need new regulations, new cars and new engines for 2026?
Baffles me!!

Audi wouldn't have joined is the simple answer. 

I'm not so sure!

You could be right Andy, however for reasons FIA & Liberty never properly made clear they were also trying to get Porsche to join the engine supply roster as well. 

Both the German marques were reported as unwilling to get involved with MGU-H technology.
They said cost, I suspect they couldn't see how they could make MGU-H work in a short time frame. After all the rest of the F1 grid have had years to refine the tech.

Seems the other Engine builders were & are happy to lose MGU-H, its expensive tech and there's little transfer, if any, to road cars, unlike MGU-K which is already appearing on vehicles, especially EVs.

Knock on effects of upping MGU-K and other direct charging for new massive batteries for fuel saving would have increased weight massively on old chassis. New lighter smaller chassis required or F1 speed would have dropped below Le Mans Hypercars & probably F2.   

F1 pinnacle of motorsport - Ergo new regs for total package required. 

[lkjohnson1950]

Good analysis John.

[Andy B]

V8's are even easier and they sound good I was surprised in Bahrain that the Porsches were louder than F1.
I obviously realise V8's are not coming back but electric racing turns me off with no sound except a whine.
I think it must be my age! LOL

[John S]

I obviously realise V8's are not coming back but electric racing turns me off with no sound except a whine.
I think it must be my age! LOL

Your in good company on here then, most if not all of us feel the same Andy.

[Alianora La Canta]

This process was set in motion in 2018 (some of the changes that missed 2022 only missed it on the premise they'd be put into 2026) and if it was stopped now, teams would quit.

[cosworth151]

It always seems like F1 & the FIA have listened to Red Green's version of this old saying:

"If it's not broke, you're not trying."