FIA open to "changes" to F1 2026 guidelines after driver complaints

After System 1’s first on-track motion of 2026, the reactions from drivers on 2026-spec equipment have been combined. Lando Norris and George Russell have spoken positively, whereas Max Verstappen, Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton have been extra essential.

The Pink Bull racer even stated that the drivers who’re optimistic may match right into a small “easy-up tent” and that these with objections type a bigger camp. Following that comment, Norris additionally acknowledged that it isn’t, in his view, the purest type of racing.

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Like F1 itself, the FIA is cautious of an ‘overreaction’. In keeping with the FIA single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis, the brand new rules are largely so as, though he’s open to listening to the preliminary complaints.

“The vehicles are new,” Tombazis identified. “Within the interval of final summer time and final autumn, lots of people had been driving the simulators and expressing large issues. I believe the feedback in Barcelona and in Bahrain are definitely a lot better than what individuals [said based] on the simulator. However there are nonetheless some feedback, like what Max stated.

“We’re fully aware that we might must make changes. That has been a dialogue we have been open about with the groups and the PU producers for a protracted, very long time. And with the drivers, certainly. So I believe there are some ways in which we are able to act as a sport to make changes within the guidelines.”

“90%” already wanting good?

The plain follow-up query is, what sort of changes are being mentioned behind the scenes? “Properly, probably on among the guidelines to do with power deployment,” Tombazis replied.

Though the governing physique desires to attend for the primary few races earlier than coming ahead with particular proposals, it’s understood within the paddock that the main target will primarily be on the harvesting aspect of issues. The FIA may, for instance, enable drivers to get well extra power per lap.

Max Verstappen, Pink Bull Racing

Photograph by: Simon Galloway / LAT Photos by way of Getty Photos

That might imply they might even have extra power to deploy and due to this fact be much less “power poor” on the straights, as Verstappen described it. Nonetheless, it might additionally imply that within the corners and with further downshifts, extra power administration could possibly be required as a way to truly get well that further power.

In keeping with the FIA, these facets are primarily associated to the software program and the way the ability unit is run, and due to this fact shouldn’t have main penalties for the {hardware}.

“There would not be any want for any change of your system,” Tombazis added. “It could be extra the way you run your system. Clearly, should you go to an influence unit engineer, they might say, ‘Properly, that adjustments a bit the obligation cycle. And if I had identified it, I’d have perhaps performed this barely completely different’ or no matter.”

That is true, however essentially vehicles are on completely different ranges {of electrical} power, and the way that’s deployed can have an effect on a few of these points.

“We expect we’re not in a foul place the place we are actually,” the Greek added. “But when there must be some changes following these feedback, we’ll talk about all of them collectively as a sport and do what’s wanted.”

On that final level – that F1 is at the moment not “in a foul place” – Tombazis emphasised that the general image is already 90% passable.

“I believe should you take the feedback which were made in November or October or final summer time, I believe we’re means, means higher now. We have addressed loads of the issues. Have we addressed each single concern? No. I believe there are some subjects which are nonetheless open,” he replied when requested by Motorsport.com if the present state of affairs was extra worrying than anticipated.

Nikolas Tombazis, FIA Single Seater Director

Photograph by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Photos

“After all, it is vitally simple to say, sure, if the inner combustion was a lot larger and the ERS was a lot smaller, there can be fewer of those issues. And that’s true. We have identified proper from 2022 that the 50-50 energy answer has challenges.

“It is not new or a shock. We have performed an enormous quantity of labor to work on how this power is deployed. And I believe we have performed, in my opinion, 90% of the work to get to an inexpensive place. There could also be some changes as we have discovered concerning the vehicles, and we’re absolutely open to try this.”

How rapidly can the FIA react if needed?

Lastly, the query stays how rapidly the FIA may implement potential changes.

“We’re studying as we go alongside,” Tombazis stated. “And the primary actual check would be the first race, as a result of right here they’re not likely racing one another and so forth. These adjustments do want a bit of debate. There could also be a couple of weeks of debate, and we additionally must undergo the governance course of.

“It is unlikely to be one thing between Australia and China, for instance. Nevertheless it’s additionally not months and months.”

The FIA no less than desires to attend for the primary races to see what the precise image appears like, with Tombazis eager for followers to not instantly draw far-reaching conclusions from Melbourne.

“We’ll take the choice for the most effective of the game,” Tombazis added. “This can be a marathon, not a dash. I undoubtedly hope that Australia will likely be thrilling. However I do not suppose Australia is the [be-all and end-all]. We’ve got 5 years to undergo, and we’ve got very clear instruments on the way to act on issues.

“We’ll see the place we stand. And, as I say, talk about them overtly and transparently, and do our greatest.”

Photographs from Bahrain Pre-Season Testing – Day 6

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team