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Why F1 bosses warn against knee-jerk changes to much-maligned new regulations

Photo: Race Pictures

F1 News

19:01, 11 Mar

Updated: 20:46, 11 Mar

2 Comments

byTobia Elia

F1 team principals have weighed in on whether changes are needed to the new regulations following the heavy criticism that has emerged.

"We have an opinion, but we're comfortable going racing as we have it, and I think it'll become clear or not if adjustments are made"

- Zak Brown

McLaren open to F1 rule changes 'if we don’t put on a good show'

McLaren CEO Zak Brown, speaking to GPblog among other media, was among the first to address the issue even before the Melbourne weekend got underway, stressing that if the sport fails to deliver a show worthy of Formula 1, action will likely be taken.

"As in classic F1, everyone has different opinions. We have an opinion, but we're comfortable going racing as we have it, and I think it'll become clear or not if adjustments are made. And I think everyone's in the same view - if we don't put on a good show, then everyone will step in quickly in line around what it'll take to put on a good show.

"There's a safety aspect to it, which is an aspect of concern. Then the FIA can just make the decision on the grounds of safety if clipping and things of that nature become a safety concern. So I'm not sure it all has to agree, but I'm sure we all will if that's what's necessary."

Photo: Race Pictures

Wolff backs Domenicali and shifts focus from drivers to fans

Toto Wolff also weighed in on the topic after the race, which saw Mercedes comfortably sweep aside the competition. The Austrian was also asked about the many complaints from drivers regarding the new cars and overtakes described as 'artificial'.

Speaking to GPblog, he replied: "I didn't hear any one of the drivers speaking particularly good of the last cars and saying it was the best car, so we tend to be very nostalgic and looking at past events. But clearly, we are all stakeholders of the sport, we need to have a great spectacle, the best cars in the world and the best drivers and being exciting for the fans and that's why we just need to look at the product."

He then added: "One perspective is the view of the drivers, which is an important perspective, but Stefano would say that the single matrix that matters to him is whether the fans like it. That is what we need to look at. And if it needs to be tweaked, if we need to adjust, I think we have the flexibility in Formula 1 to always take those decisions."

Vasseur urges patience before considering regulation changes

Ferrari team principal also said he is open to potential changes, although he would prefer to wait for a certain period of time and a number of races before drawing any firm conclusions about possible adjustments to the rules.

"Overall, it's true that we had tons of negative comments, forecasts, or whatever, before the season. We were pushed also to change our regulation before race one. Honestly, I think it makes sense to wait two or three events because it's not because this one was a very good one that they will be all good, but I think it was a very good surprise.

"Honestly, the first 10 laps of the race, I'm not sure that I saw something like this the last 10 years. You have to keep this in mind, but it's not a given how it will be like this on the weekend. But I think it's a very good start for the sport, a very good start for the show. I think the fans, they enjoy probably a lot the opening stint. But let's continue like this. And if we have to react at one stage after a couple of races, we will react. But I think it would be a mistake to do it too quickly."

Verstappen finds bright spot despite scathing assessment of 2026 F1 cars

The Dutchman admitted the current issues are not something that should come as a major surprise, stressing they are problems that can be solved. While he has been openly critical of the regulations, Verstappen made clear he still feels a great deal of pride in the work being done by the team and the engine department.

According to him, the people behind the project have delivered an outstanding effort, which is why he remains happy to be working alongside them. At the same time, he conceded that he would simply like to enjoy the driving aspect a little more than he currently does.

The Red Bull driver also praised the progress made so far, pointing out that being able to fight with McLaren while running a Mercedes power unit is already a significant achievement. He believes that even a small improvement could allow the team to challenge closer to the very front.