The FIA is to fulfill with groups and engine producers on Thursday (April 9) to debate the 2026 rules.
Uppermost, based on some, is security, whereas restoring qualifying as a race weekend spotlight, is one other main issue up for dialogue.
For probably the most half, the groups have taken a laissez-faire strategy up to now, any criticism of the principles restricted to the truth that drivers are now not going flat-out in qualifying, particularly Q3, although Oliver Bearman’s crash at Suzuka put security firmly on the agenda.
For probably the most half the drivers have been essential from the outset, definitely those who do not drive for Ferrari or Mercedes, however over the Suzuka weekend even the Maranello pair admitted to being uneasy with F1 2026.
Whereas George Russell, considered one of two administrators of the Grand Prix Drivers‘ Affiliation – the so-called drivers‘ union – has remained silent, fellow director, Carlos Sainz, has been among the many most important of the principles overhaul.
Certainly, GPDA Chairman, Alex Wurz, has revealed that the drivers‘ WhatsApp group is a frenzy of exercise.
„It is completely blowing up proper now,“ he stated of the group he arrange in 2015. „I’ve by no means seen it this lively, truthfully. There’s a lot flying round in there, feelings, potential options, technical concepts, and discussions on how to verify everybody understands that drivers must be heard.“
Make no mistake, it is not simply Max Verstappen, who regardless of warning of lots of the points now being confronted, lengthy earlier than the vehicles truly took to the observe, has been suggested by Martin Brundle to successfully ’shut up or give up‘, we’re speaking Sainz, Lando Norris, Fernando Alonso… lots of whom have been essential for the reason that begin of the season.
The Berman crash had already been predicted when it comes to closing speeds, however now we have now the likes of Norris admitting that, underneath the brand new power administration protocols, he has „by chance“ overtaken one other driver.
The 2025 world champion has additionally highlighted the yo-yoing which sees a driver overtake a rival solely to be re-passed moments later, whereas F1, the FIA and groups proudly declare this to be a rise in overtaking, and thereby proof of the success of the brand new guidelines, the drivers – and followers – see it as faux.
Each the FIA and F1 have been MIA thus far, Stefano Domenicali’s insistence of „to not panic“ a distant reminiscence, whereas even Nikolas Tombazis seems to have been struck dumb.
Neither F1 or the FIA desires to confess to having made a mistake, whereas on the identical time neither desires to upset the engine producers it labored so arduous to woo.
Nevertheless, one thing should be executed. The game is already going through the lack of income from two cancelled races, whereas TV viewing numbers are dropping as followers cancel their subscriptions.
The likes of Toto Wollf and Laurent Mekies proceed to insist that the game focuses on Q3 and the way it can as soon as once more be a query of who goes quickest, nonetheless there are different components that should be addressed, not least closing speeds and the yo-yoing.
There isn’t a fast repair, however speak of concentrating on security and Q3 and leaving the remainder till 2027 is not adequate.
These utilizing social media to name for a return to V10s are losing their time, even underneath Jean Todt it was made clear that this isn’t going to occur. It seems the V6 is right here to remain.
Nevertheless, within the brief time period the main target is prone to be on limiting „super-cliping“, and revising the use lively aero.
High of the checklist nonetheless, needs to be scrapping the 50/50 ICE/Electrics, limiting the place power is recovered – no extra carry and coast on quick straights – certainly revising the entire power administration system in order that the motive force is as soon as once more in management and making the selections not the boffins.
This can be a essential time for the game, and if nothing else, primarily based on the proof of the primary three races, and the reactions of F1’s powers-that-be, this is a chance for all concerned to not solely present that they’re listening however that they care.
And once we say „all concerned“ that should imply the drivers, these on the ‚coal face‘, these truly driving the vehicles, taking the dangers, and, when it comes to the way in which the game is now being promoted to its new technology of followers, the superstars.
As F1 continues to push the likes of Leclerc, Hamilton, Russell and Norris as if they’re pop stars, certainly they need to have a voice.
