1996 Formulation 1 champion Damon Hill has argued that, whereas some drivers aren’t having fun with the brand new 2026 rules, the racing seen on the Japanese Grand Prix was fascinating, tactical and entertaining.
Points of the 2026 rules, resembling the necessity to raise and coast to reap important battery energy, have come below hearth from a few of the drivers and followers, however the former Williams driver shared a constructive outlook on the on-track product.
“Pay attention, I believe, I do know that a few of the drivers don’t love having to decelerate and cost their battery up, however I believe the racing may be very fascinating,” he advised F1 TV. “I believe it is tactical. They’re having to suppose, and we’re getting entertained.”
The opening rounds of the 2026 season have seen a unique dynamic on observe. The season-opening Australian Grand Prix, for instance, boasted 120 overtakes, whereas the 2025 race in Melbourne featured 45.
Hill’s former team-mate Jacques Villeneuve added: “It is fascinating, not thrilling. It relies upon what you need out of F1, however the followers are most likely comfortable as a result of Suzuka isn’t an thrilling race. It is simply comply with one another round. Now, there was some swaps.”
Responding to the previous driver, Hill mentioned: “Yeah. I imply, we obtained some overtakes after which reovertakes. Now, that very hardly ever occurs in our sport, does not it?”
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Picture by: Mark Sutton / Formulation 1 through Getty Pictures
Hill selected McLaren’s Oscar Piastri as a standout efficiency from the Japanese Grand Prix. After failing to start out each the Australian and Chinese language Grands Prix, Piastri transformed a P3 begin to a second-place end.
“I believe Oscar’s nonetheless very hungry after lacking out final yr,” he mentioned. “He was good all weekend. It was good to see McLaren wanting a bit stronger, and that is nice for us.”
Reflecting on the season begin as a complete, Hill continued: “We have had three totally different marques within the high three, and plenty of drivers there. You’ve got obtained what six drivers that may very well be a winner? That is fairly good.”
Pictures from Japanese GP – Sunday
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
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Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
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Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
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Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
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Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
Japanese GP – Sunday, in pictures
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