Why F1 won’t overhaul the rules – and that’s no coincidence

Some commentators have suggested the sport has lost its appeal, arguing that modern technical regulations have changed the racing too much. One viewpoint claims the new era has made drivers too reliant on energy management, forcing them to “back off” at times to recharge systems.

However, these opinions are often based on anecdotal impressions rather than a full understanding of the sport’s current technical framework.

While such narratives tend to gain traction among sections of the fanbase, especially through podcasts and social media, the reality is more complex. Although some fans feel the racing has changed too much, the broader picture shows a sport that continues to evolve rather than decline.

Formula One Management (FOM) and Liberty Media measure absolutely everything; that’s the reason the sport has been able to grow so enormously in recent years. Proof that interest is anything but declining is evident from the figures after the first three Grands Prix, where growth was observed every weekend, both in attendance and in viewership.

In 2026, Formula 1 saw a clear increase in attendance at the opening races compared to 2025. The Australian Grand Prix attracted 483,934 fans, compared to 465,498 a year earlier. In China, the number of spectators also rose, from 220,000 to 230,000. The largest growth was seen in Japan, where attendance increased from 266,000 to 315,000.

TV ratings also show an increase in the top 14 key markets. For the Australian GP, the combined audience for the race and qualifying rose by 26 percent. For China, it was a 32 percent increase, while Japan registered 19 percent growth. So it can be assumed that the majority of F1 viewers are quite satisfied with the current state of the sport.

The F1 could say: set aside all prior knowledge and just look at what you see. In that case, you’ll see overtakes in every Grand Prix so far and a thrilling battle at the front. That’s exactly what the average fan wants; not a Max Verstappen who drives off and isn’t picked up by the TV cameras again until the finish line.

Let’s flip it: if FOM and Liberty Media’s research showed that the majority of viewers hated the new Formula 1, adjustments would be made in no time, those people are far too important to let walk away.

It isn’t perfect at the moment, but refinements will be made in the coming weeks. Adjustments are being introduced in areas such as qualifying to allow drivers to push flat-out, while the approach to racing during Grands Prix is expected to remain unchanged for now. From FOM’s perspective, that position is entirely justifiable.

There will always be a section of people unhappy with how things are run. Often, it is the same voices that are most vocal on social media, which can then be amplified by commentary from individuals who are not deeply familiar with the sport. This can create the impression that there is widespread resistance to F1’s regulations.

In reality, the picture is quite different.

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