The new Formula 1 engine and chassis regulations for the 2026 season have taken some of the bravery out of the sport, several drivers said ahead of this weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix, as teams grapple with the biggest rules overhaul in decades.
Last weekend’s season-opening race in Australia drew a mixed response from fans and drivers. Some praised an increase in overtakes due to new ‘Overtake’ and ‘Boost’ modes, while others compared the on-track action to racing video game Mario Kart.
With more power generated by electricity than from last year’s engines, there is greater emphasis on being tactical with energy deployment and regeneration. That has led drivers to sometimes be best served by lifting off the throttle on high-speed straights and coasting into corners, rather than slamming on the brakes, to ensure they have sufficient battery to deploy elsewhere.
“We used to fight for our life,” said Aston Martin’s twice world champion Fernando Alonso. “We were challenging the limits of physics going through those corners, and the driver had to use all the skills and be brave in some moments as well.”
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc agreed the regulations had changed what gave drivers an edge over the field.
“In the past, you could take quite a lot of risk and make an overtake work. Now, it’s always: ‘If I have this action now, what will happen in the next straight, in two straights’ time?’”
Williams driver Carlos Sainz said the regulations needed a bit of a rethink to make the experience better for the drivers. “I don’t like seeing the top speed decreasing in the middle of a straight ... I don’t like having to lift and coast in the middle of a qualifying lap and I don’t like, let’s say, the racing that we saw in Melbourne ... it’s not a real overtake of Formula 1,” the Spaniard said.
REUTERS
