Jonas Leo
Following the initial on-track demonstrations of the prototype 2026 Formula 1 machinery, the international motorsport governing body, the FIA, has indicated its readiness to implement "adjustments" to the forthcoming technical regulations. This openness comes in response to a spectrum of feedback from Grand Prix drivers, with prominent figures expressing significant reservations about the current design philosophy. While some drivers, notably McLaren’s Lando Norris and Mercedes’ George Russell, have offered cautiously positive assessments, a more critical cohort, including reigning world champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing, Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso, and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton, has voiced considerable concerns.
The discourse surrounding the 2026 rules intensified following Verstappen’s pointed remarks, where he humorously suggested that drivers with positive feedback could fit into a "small easy-up tent," implying a much larger contingent held objections. Lando Norris, despite his earlier positive comments, later acknowledged that, in his view, the current direction for the 2026 cars does not represent "the purest form of racing." These observations, emanating directly from the athletes who will pilot these machines, underscore the gravity of the discussions now unfolding behind the scenes.
The FIA, along with Formula 1 commercial rights holder Liberty Media, is acutely aware of the need to avoid an "overreaction" to early evaluations. Nikolas Tombazis, the FIA’s Single-Seater Director, affirmed that while the foundational principles of the new regulations are largely sound, the governing body remains receptive to the initial wave of driver complaints. "The cars are new," Tombazis stated, providing a crucial contextual reminder. He highlighted a noticeable improvement in driver sentiment from earlier simulator sessions, which had initially provoked "huge concerns," to the recent on-track testing in Barcelona and Bahrain. "I think the comments in Barcelona and in Bahrain are certainly much better than what people [said based] on the simulator. But there are still some comments, like what Max said." This progression suggests that while significant strides have been made, critical areas still require attention.
Tombazis further elaborated on the FIA’s proactive stance, confirming long-standing dialogues with key stakeholders. "We are completely conscious that we may need to make adjustments. That has been a discussion we’ve been open about with the teams and the PU manufacturers for a long, long time. And with the drivers, indeed. So I think there are some ways that we can act as a sport to make adjustments in the rules." This statement underscores a collaborative approach, recognizing that the evolution of such complex regulations necessitates continuous evaluation and adaptation from all parties involved in the sport’s technical and sporting frameworks.
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The central question revolves around the precise nature of these potential adjustments. Tombazis indicated that discussions are primarily focused on aspects related to "energy deployment." While the FIA intends to observe the performance and dynamics of the new-spec cars over the initial few races of the 2026 season before formalizing specific proposals, paddock whispers suggest that the "harvesting side of things" is a primary area of focus. One proposed modification under consideration is to increase the amount of energy drivers are permitted to recover per lap.
Such a change would have direct implications for the driving experience and race strategy. By allowing greater energy harvesting, drivers would subsequently have more energy available for deployment, thereby mitigating the sensation of being "energy poor" on the straights—a specific complaint articulated by Max Verstappen. This "energy poor" phenomenon refers to the current perception that the revised power unit regulations, which heavily lean towards electrical power, could leave drivers with insufficient electrical boost at critical moments, particularly during acceleration on long straights, potentially hindering overtaking and pure performance. However, increasing energy recovery also introduces a new layer of complexity: it could necessitate more intricate energy management in corners and during downshifts to effectively regenerate the additional energy. This delicate balance between raw speed and strategic energy deployment is a defining characteristic of modern Formula 1 and is poised to become even more pronounced under the new regulations.
Significantly, the FIA believes that most of these contemplated adjustments would primarily involve software recalibrations rather than extensive hardware overhauls for the power unit manufacturers. "There wouldn’t be any need for any change of your system," Tombazis explained, "It would be more how you run your system." While acknowledging that a power unit engineer might argue that such changes "change a bit the duty cycle" and might have led to slightly different initial design choices, the fundamental hardware architecture would remain largely intact. This distinction is crucial, as major hardware revisions would be substantially more costly and time-consuming for manufacturers who have already invested heavily in developing their 2026 power units. The goal is to optimize the interaction between the existing hardware and the new regulatory framework through software refinements, ensuring a more balanced and engaging driving experience without disrupting the significant investments already made.
Tombazis maintained an optimistic outlook on the overall state of the 2026 regulations. "We think we are not in a bad place where we are now," he stated, emphasizing the extensive work already completed. He quantified this progress by asserting that the overall picture is "90% satisfactory." He reiterated this sentiment when asked if the current situation was more worrying than anticipated: "I think if you take the comments that have been made in November or October or last summer, I think we are way, way better now. We’ve addressed a lot of the concerns. Have we addressed every single concern? No. I think there are some topics that are still open." This highlights a continuous improvement process, acknowledging that while many initial hurdles have been cleared, certain critical elements still require fine-tuning.
Providing further historical context, Tombazis acknowledged that the inherent challenges of the 2026 power unit concept, particularly the "50-50 power solution" (referring to the roughly equal split between internal combustion and electrical power), were recognized as early as 2022. "It’s not new or a surprise. We’ve known right from 2022 that the 50-50 power solution has challenges." This transparency indicates that the current issues are not unforeseen but rather a consequence of pushing technological boundaries towards a more sustainable and electrified future for the sport. The significant effort invested in refining energy deployment since then has, in the FIA’s view, brought the regulations to a "reasonable place." However, the willingness to make "some adjustments as we’ve learned about the cars" remains paramount, underscoring a flexible and data-driven approach to rule-making.
The timeline for implementing any such adjustments is another critical consideration. Tombazis cautioned against hasty decisions, emphasizing that the "first real test will be the first race," as competitive conditions differ significantly from testing environments. "These changes do need a bit of discussion. There may be a few weeks of discussion, and we also need to go through the governance process." This process typically involves proposals being discussed within the F1 Commission (comprising representatives from the FIA, Formula 1, and all ten teams) before being ratified by the World Motor Sport Council. While Tombazis indicated that changes would likely not occur immediately between races, such as "between Australia and China, for example," he also assured that they would not be delayed for "months and months." This suggests a mid-term review and potential implementation strategy, allowing for sufficient data collection from competitive racing while avoiding prolonged uncertainty.
The FIA’s approach remains one of measured caution, stressing the importance of gathering comprehensive data from the initial competitive outings before making definitive pronouncements. Tombazis urged fans and stakeholders not to draw premature, far-reaching conclusions from the season opener in Melbourne. "We’ll take the decision for the best of the sport," he affirmed, framing the regulatory journey as a "marathon, not a sprint." He highlighted the long-term vision for the 2026 regulations, which are set to govern the sport for a five-year cycle, and the robust tools available to the FIA for addressing emerging issues. "We will see where we stand. And, as I say, discuss them openly and transparently, and do our best." This commitment to open dialogue and continuous improvement reflects the complex nature of balancing performance, sustainability, and competitive spectacle in the pinnacle of motorsport.
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Author Profile
- Jonas Leo is a passionate motorsport journalist and lifelong Formula 1 enthusiast. With a sharp eye for race strategy and driver performance, he brings readers closer to the world of Grand Prix racing through in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive paddock insights. Jonas has covered everything from preseason testing to dramatic title deciders, capturing the emotion and precision that define modern F1. When he’s not tracking lap times or pit stop tactics, he enjoys exploring classic racing archives and writing about the evolution of F1 technology.
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