Sainz delivers blunt 'not good enough for Formula 1' verdict after Belgian GP

Drivers have been critical following the Belgian Grand Prix, with Oliver Bearman criticising the 2026 F1 power units, claiming he had less power than Formula 2 cars.

Like his F1 rivals, Sainz hit out at the regulations after the Belgian Grand Prix, in particular pointing out the lack of enthusiasm he had for qualifying compared to last season.

Tweaks for 2027 mean that the 50/50 split between the ICE and electrical power will be moved closer to 60/40. Asked if the changes are going far enough, Sainz responded: "Probably not. That's why for 2030 they are already planning a change because they know this is not the best. Even though they will try and improve it and will improve."

McLaren driver Oscar Piastri was also vocal of his criticism of the 2026 engine regulations after the Belgian Grand Prix. For Piastri, the way in which so much of a driver's performance relies on the electrical element of the 2026 generation of cars "sucks," especially at energy-deprieved tracks such as Silverstone and Spa in recent weeks.

Speaking to media, including GPblog, after the Belgian GP, Piastri said: "It sucks. I can’t really say it any other way than that. I certainly wouldn’t have been the only person [to complain]. I know George [Russell] has had a lot of issues with that this weekend and maybe the last couple of weekends, and speaking to some others, it’s a similar story.