Formula 1 drivers are voicing concerns about upcoming FIA meetings to address controversial 2026 regulation changes, fearing political interference will prevent meaningful improvements. The governing body plans to evaluate potential modifications following the Japanese Grand Prix, but several competitors doubt these discussions will yield effective solutions to the current power unit issues plaguing the sport.
The new 2026 regulations have drawn sharp criticism from drivers and fans alike, particularly regarding the near-equal split between internal combustion and electrical power that creates extreme energy management scenarios. Four-time world champion Max Verstappen has been especially vocal, comparing the racing experience to “Mario Kart,” while Fernando Alonso described the current format as a “battery championship.” The FIA initially postponed regulation reviews after the Chinese Grand Prix when battery management proved less problematic in Shanghai compared to Melbourne’s season opener.
Lewis Hamilton expressed pessimism about the upcoming discussions, stating he doesn’t expect significant changes due to “too many cooks in the kitchen.” The Ferrari driver highlighted concerns about team politics interfering with necessary improvements, particularly given Mercedes’ current power unit advantage. George Russell previously accused Ferrari of “selfish” intentions when blocking safety-related start procedure changes, while Ferrari countered that it had raised similar concerns the previous year and was told to develop solutions within existing regulations.
Williams driver Carlos Sainz echoed Hamilton’s worries, acknowledging that while the FIA appears to have solid proposals, he fears certain teams will resist changes to protect their competitive interests. The enforced break in April due to cancelled races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia will provide opportunities for crucial meetings between Formula 1, the FIA, and teams ahead of the Miami Grand Prix in May. However, any fundamental fixes to harvesting and “superclipping” issues remain limited by current regulations, with major overhauls likely requiring implementation next season.