F1 team bosses signals talks to improve 2026 regulation

The trio of team bosses, who regularly comment on the dynamics of the current generation of F1 cars, admitted they remain in open conversation with the FIA and key stakeholders to implement necessary adjustments as the racing demands.

Red Bull Racing’s Mekies, who was the first of the team bosses to react, highlighted that it is still early in the campaigns to prescribe the implementation of an outright change to the regulations but emphasised the willingness across the grid to do so if a situation arises.

“The truth is, we are having super open discussions. We met with the teams, with the FIA, with F1, just before the season started. It was in Bahrain. We just said, look, let’s do these first races and see what we are getting. If there is a need for adjustment, I think there will be all the willingness in the world across the grid to adjust for the benefit of the sport,” Mekies explained.

“It’s early days; it’s been only one race, even if there have been a few surprises. I think that’s what we’ll do. We’ll probably regroup again after China and discuss what adjustments are needed short-term, mid-term, and long-term,” the Red Bull boss concluded.

Jonathan Wheatley, who also responded to the question, noted how different circuits continue to reveal unique challenges posed to the current cars, while also highlighting the overall encouraging aspects of the regulations.

“I totally agree. I’d add that every single time we come to a new circuit, it exposes other areas in the car where there’s a performance deficit, where you have to tune the car differently. It’s a World Championship,” he said.

Wheatley, however, echoing the sentiments of Mekies, noted how technical the current regulations prove to be, admitting that teams are largely in a situation of waiting to see how things develop.

“We’ve got to keep a steady hand on the tiller, and the FIA are doing that at the moment. It’s been encouraging, the amount of conversation there is, the open discussion between teams and the FIA about how to manage this set of technical regulations. I can’t emphasise enough just what an ambitious set of technical regulations this is and how complicated these cars are to manage. It’s a case of just trying to keep everything under control at the moment and see how it develops over time,” he concluded.

Alpine’s chief, Briatore, also agreed with the views of the other two F1 bosses, noting that conversations with the FIA remain open as teams continue to explore the best solutions for the sport and, ultimately, for the spectators.

“It’s a very early stage to make a final judgment. I agree completely with Laurent and Jonathan. We need to just see the situation, and there are always conversations with the FIA and the teams to find the best solution for the sport, the teams, and the spectators. Right now, we are at a very early stage to make a strong judgment. We don’t have it, basically. Let’s just see,” Briatore noted.

The 2026 F1 regulations continue to generate mixed emotions among several stakeholders across the sport. However, several drivers, including Max Verstappen and his former Red Bull Racing teammate, Sergio Perez, have not held back their criticism of the current regulations.

Jacques Villeneuve has aired his thoughts on the 2026 F1 regulations. The 1997 drivers’ champion expressed mixed emotions in his assessment of the new cars.

Villeneuve admitted the racing spectacle appears beautiful, while the actual racing for drivers seems somewhat compromised.

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