F1 fans all have the same reaction as teams told their 2026 liveries ‘must’ feature FIA logo

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Formula 1 teams will be required to display the FIA logo on their 2026 cars under the terms of the newly signed Concorde Agreement.

A commercial deal had already been agreed, but now teams have concluded negotiations with the FIA over a governance deal. Section A of the 2026 regulations includes the following clause:

“Each F1 Car must bear the FIA logo, in either blue or white, with a height of at least 75mm. This logo must be positioned on the top of the nose or on either side of the nose and be visible from the side of the car.”

It’s worth noting that nine of the 10 teams already included the FIA logo on their 2025 liveries, with the exception of Mercedes. But it’s significant that this is now a regulatory requirement with strict parameters.

F1 fans joke that Mohammed Ben Sulayem wants his face on the cars

Reacting to the news on social media, fans made the same joke about FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem. Ben Sulayem had just been re-elected after standing unopposed, which will keep him in his post until the end of 2029.

F1 fans clearly believe the 64-year-old was behind the new livery rules. One said that he ‘will want his picture on [the cars] next’, while another agreed that ‘he’d put his face’ on them if he could.

“What next, MBS’ face on the side pod of every car? Or as the logo for each team?” a fellow user said.

Which iconic F1 colour scheme should return for 2026?

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Other comments included ‘every helmet must have a picture of MBS on the side’ and ‘every driver must have MBS’ face tattooed on their leg’. A final fan quipped that the 2027 cars will feature a ‘laser-etched 3D image’ of the president.

Ben Sulayem is a divisive figure among both fans and drivers. Last year, the GPDA released a statement criticising his crackdown on swearing, which resulted in fines for Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc.

However, the Emirati is also credited with ‘restoring the financial health’ of F1’s governing body.

What other changes have the FIA made to the 2026 F1 rules?

The new livery rule is part of a broader initiative to increase the ‘general visibility’ of the FIA.

Elsewhere, teams will have to pay higher entry fees, though the FIA plan to reinvest the money to improve their operation.

Rule changes suggested at the F1 Commission will now only require the approval of four teams, rather than six. In practice, this could make the FIA and Formula One Management more powerful.

If the FIA and FOM join with four other teams, they could overrule seven dissenting parties. While fans are focused on the brand-new technical regulations for 2026, this shouldn’t be overlooked.