FIA Announces Another 2026 Regulation Change

The FIA will allow Formula 1 teams to choose their own wheel rim suppliers starting in 2026.

Nov 3, 2019; Austin, TX, USA; A view of the FIA Formula One flag before the United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports / Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile) is set to introduce a significant regulatory change in Formula 1 starting in 2026, altering the current parts rule regarding the wheel rim supply. Soon, F1 teams will gain the freedom to select their own suppliers for wheel rims, moving away from the standardized system that has been in place since 2022.

In a recent announcement, as reported by Planet F1, the FIA confirmed that the exclusive arrangement with BBS, the sole supplier of the standardized 18-inch wheel rims introduced in 2022, will conclude. This move comes after deliberations stemming from requests by several teams desiring more liberty in choosing their rim suppliers. These teams articulated a need for wheel rims that could potentially serve as a "performance differentiator" without causing significant disparities in competition or inflating costs.

Currently, Formula 1 operates with a single tyre supplier, Pirelli, whose products are mounted on BBS’s 18-inch rims. With the forthcoming changes, Pirelli will adapt to a new scenario where its tyres will need to be compatible with wheel rims provided by potentially a variety of manufacturers such as Enkei, OZ Racing, and AppTech. This adjustment could influence tire performance based on how they interact with different rim designs.

Formula 1 teams will not only have the chance to forge new supply chains and commercial ties but may also leverage these relationships for optimized customization and improved responsiveness to any manufacturing challenges. However, despite these new opportunities for diversification, many teams might continue partnering with BBS, given their proven track record and existing expertise with the current wheel designs.

All selected wheel suppliers, despite the incoming regulatory relaxation, will still be required to adhere strictly to the FIA’s technical standards. The FIA and Pirelli have already vetoed any proposals for reducing the rim size to 16 inches, ensuring that while supplier diversity may increase, certain specifications like wheel size will remain constant.

2024 F1 Driver Standings As Of Summer Break

1. Max Verstappen - 277 points
2. Lando Norris - 199 points
3. Charles Leclerc - 177 points
4. Oscar Piastri - 167 points
5. Carlos Sainz - 162 points
6. Lewis Hamilton - 150 points
7. Sergio Perez - 131 points
8. George Russell - 116 points
9. Fernando Alonso - 49 points
10. Lance Stroll - 24 points
11. Nico Hulkenberg - 22 points
12. Yuki Tsunoda - 22 points
13. Daniel Ricciardo - 12 points
14. Oliver Bearman - 6 points
15. Pierre Gasly - 6 points
16. Kevin Magnussen - 5 points
17. Esteban Ocon - 5 points
18. Alex Albon - 4 points
19. Zhou Guanyu - 0 points
20. Logan Sargeant - 0 points
21. Valtteri Bottas - 0 points