System 1 boss Stefano Domenicali has referred to as for calm within the face of criticism from drivers of the game’s new guidelines – however stated modifications could be made if obligatory.
F1’s 4 energetic world champions – Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, Fernando Alonso and Lando Norris – have all made disparaging feedback concerning the driving expertise of the brand new vehicles in a method or one other.
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However Domenicali stated in a information convention on Thursday: “We have to keep away from overreaction as a result of it is only the start of a brand new journey, in order that’s why I say we have to keep calm.
“And if there’s something that’s helpful and might be applied right away, I’ve seen a really open strategy by [governing body] the FIA and likewise the groups sharing their outlined knowledge in fact with the others.
“It is a new idea the place it must be, in fact, improved if wanted.”
The most important rule change in F1 historical past has seen vehicles, engines and tyres all topic to vary this 12 months, along with the introduction of carbon-neutral sustainable fuels.
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Drivers have focused the brand new engines, which require substantial power administration always for optimum efficiency.
Verstappen stated F1 was now “like System E on steroids”, whereas Alonso added on the velocity he was going round some quick corners to reap power, and Hamilton claimed the brand new guidelines have been .
Briton Norris, who initially defended the vehicles final week as “enjoyable”, stated on Thursday he had made these feedback to see the response and admitted they have been “definitely not the purest type of racing”.
Domenicali, the president and chief govt officer of economic rights holder F1, identified the brand new engine guidelines have been conceived as an try to draw new engine producers and had succeeded in attracting Audi and Cadillac, and persuaded Honda to reverse a choice to depart.
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“The evolution of that’s pure and can develop into regular,” stated the Italian. “I’m fairly assured this can evolve in a state of affairs that, on the finish of the 12 months, no-one will bear in mind what we’re speaking about immediately.
“We do not have to overlook that, with all respect to all these technicalities we’re taking about, it’s one thing within the interior enterprise of F1. [For] our 900 million followers, it isn’t of their enterprise.
“What must be protected is having nice racing, nice overtaking alternatives, nice problem to the drivers to indicate they’re greatest. If these factors aren’t taken, we have to intervene and restart instantly.”
Domenicali added he had been out on the observe in pre-season testing in Bahrain on Thursday to see the vehicles for himself.
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“The vehicles are actually stunning, the sound may be very good and when you go across the observe right here it appears that there’s the automobile prefer it was final 12 months and that is essential for the one which can be very particular technical particulars to grasp,” he stated.
World champion Lando Norris stated loads of the driving for 2026 is “targeted on simply attempting to get the battery to work correctly” [Getty Images]
F1’s bosses agreed at a gathering of the F1 Fee rules-making physique on Wednesday they might assess knowledge from this closing check at an extra assembly to resolve whether or not motion wanted to be taken within the quick time period.
Concern arises from the actual fact the brand new engine guidelines have tripled the facility supplied by {the electrical} a part of the engine however left the batteries kind of the identical measurement as final 12 months, and eliminated one of many units used to recuperate power.
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This had led to vehicles which can be power starved and compelled the groups to seek out new methods to reap ample electrical power to supply the most effective efficiency. The principles governing power restoration are additionally extremely advanced.
That in flip has required drivers to carry out behaviours which were described as “counter-intuitive” to optimise lap time.
These embrace not going flat out put of the ultimate nook earlier than a qualifying lap, lifting and coasting on a qualifying lap, and even not accelerating at full energy on the finish of a lap as a result of it was extra advantageous to make use of the power elsewhere.
Nonetheless, drivers have usually been optimistic on the dealing with traits of the brand new vehicles, and a variety of high drivers all instructed BBC Sport they’re nonetheless driving to the restrict of grip, and driver potential will nonetheless be as essential as ever.
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Domenicali stated: “Do not be nervous concerning the power administration. We’ll resolve that. If we have to resolve it, by the best way.”
He has spent his time in Bahrain having a collection of discussions with particular person drivers concerning the sport, together with Verstappen.
And he added: “Max needs and does care about System 1 greater than anybody else. He has a approach of placing the purpose that he needs to say in a sure approach.
“Max will likely be a part of the way forward for System 1 and naturally it is essential that we hearken to him and all the highest drivers which can be essential on this sport.”
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Domenicali additionally stated F1 was taking a look at introducing new sporting components on Fridays, increasing on the strategy that led to sprint-race weekends, which function two qualifying periods relatively than one, and a shorter race on the Saturday along with the grand prix on Sunday.
He has already beforehand stated F1 is contemplating rising the variety of dash occasions past the present six.
Domenicali added: “Suggestions from the followers, from the folks attending the observe, the promoter, [is] that individuals need to see motion, actual motion in the course of the three days.
“Folks need to see already on Friday one thing that’s sporting – qualifying, factors, no matter it’s.
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“So, it’s true that there’s the pattern to go within the path of, even when it isn’t a dash each weekend.”
