FIA reacts to Andretti Pat Symonds move after key impact on F1 2026 rules

FIA single-seater boss Nikolas Tombazis has reacted to Pat Symonds’ move from the Formula 1 organization to the growing Andretti F1 effort.

Last month, Andretti’s F1 team announced it had secured Symonds’ signature, with the former F1 technical officer leaving the organization to join the American squad after seven years.

Nikolas Tombazis: Pat Symonds’ departure puts a greater burden on the FIA

Symonds played a key role in developing the ground influence regulations for F1 2022 and also helped shape the direction of the upcoming rulebooks that will appear in F1 2026.

However, with the esteemed engineer opting to leave the F1 organization to help prepare Andretti’s F1 entry – despite F1 emphatically rejecting the team’s application in a strongly worded letter last January – FIA single-seater director Tombazis has told the governing body they will now have to take on more responsibility for upcoming regulations.

“In terms of the relationship with FOM, yes, Pat has played a very important role,” Tombazis said of the relationship between FOM and the FIA ​​as both entities work together on the 2026 regulations.

“And we worked closely on things. And I wish him good luck in his new endeavors.

“Our relationship with FOM has never been stronger and we discuss it in great detail. Of course it puts a bit more of a burden on us, the FIA, but I think it’s under control.”

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In the week leading up to the Canadian Grand Prix, the FIA ​​revealed plans for the 2026 F1 technical regulations, which set the chassis rules to be in line with the already approved power unit regulations.

Introducing narrower and shorter cars to reduce the overall weight of the machines, as well as introducing active aerodynamics, Tombazis was asked if he would prefer to do things differently rather than creating a set of rules in response to a pre-established engine formula.

“Is there anything we would do differently? “I think there are very few things in my life that I wouldn’t change in one way or another if I had more time,” he said.

“So yes, there are things we would have had more time to discuss. As always, you have to act on time and so on. Would it look drastically different from ours? I don’t think so.

“I think we need to emphasize the fact that we have a much larger share of PU producers than before. And I think this is a reason to be proud. “

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