Mercedes had a strong start in Melbourne, landing the pole position. However, drivers weren’t as focused on their performance as they were on their feelings about the new regulations. Most of them shared negative opinions.
Max Verstappen from Red Bull was particularly vocal. He described the new rules as “Formula E on steroids” during Bahrain’s pre-season testing. He even admitted that he didn’t want to drive the 2026 car in the simulator, a sentiment he echoed after qualifying in Australia. His frustration was clear: “I’m not enjoying it at all. Whether I qualify first or last, it feels empty.”
Discussions Among Drivers
The atmosphere during the drivers’ briefing in Melbourne was tense. The meeting, which lasted longer than usual, touched on several topics, including the straight mode zones on the track. The FIA had initially considered removing a zone between Turns 8 and 9, but this sparked a debate among teams. Audi pushed for this change, with driver Gabriel Bortoleto voicing strong opinions, though he later downplayed his comments to the media.
Bortoleto stated, “I didn’t make that comment,” adding that he only mentioned experiencing understeer. Insiders indicated that several teams were concerned about downforce issues related to straight mode, which contributed to the resistance against proposed changes.
Growing Frustrations
As the issues with energy management and car performance continued, drivers like Lewis Hamilton and Verstappen voiced their discontent privately. Verstappen emphasized the drivers’ concerns were often ignored, suggesting that many drivers were unhappy with the current state of the cars.
“We’ve shifted from the best cars to some of the worst,” Lando Norris said later about the same topic. “It sucks, but you have to live with it.” This sentiment repeated among many drivers, who were finding it hard to enjoy driving the new models.
Looking Ahead
The FIA has plans for a review after the Chinese Grand Prix to address these concerns. Potential adjustments may involve energy management parameters. While some changes could improve the situation, they come with trade-offs, like potentially slower lap times.
Oscar Piastri pointed out that while tweaks might help, many fundamental issues remain. “I think it will probably improve a bit, but some things won’t be easy to fix,” he admitted.
Conclusion
The 2026 regulations are stirring up quite a controversy, with drivers feeling increasingly frustrated and unheard. As they look to future races, the question remains: can the FIA find a way to balance performance with the drivers’ needs? The upcoming evaluations may provide some clarity, but for now, the new cars are a point of contention in the F1 community.
For more insights on the situation, check out the FIA’s latest recommendations.
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After an intense F1 drivers’ briefing, what’s behind Verstappen and Norris’ criticism?,Formula 1,Australian GP,Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit
