Might 21 (GMM) Criticism of System 1’s controversial 2026 rules is now spreading far past the grand prix paddock – regardless of FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem insisting that “solely the people who find themselves behind” are complaining.
The backlash has more and more come not solely from present F1 drivers, but additionally from stars in different classes, former drivers and figures carefully linked to the game’s previous.
One putting voice belongs to Pato O’Ward – a McLaren reserve driver who presently races in IndyCar.
Talking on the System Latina podcast, O’Ward admitted he has nearly fully stopped watching System 1 altogether. “I haven’t even watched a single System 1 race this 12 months,” he admitted.
“I don’t even watch qualifying anymore. I don’t observe something.”
“I do know I’m on the reserve staff and all that, however I’ve actually misplaced curiosity. I don’t know if it’s my age, however the place System 1 is correct now doesn’t enchantment to me.”
“So for now, I’m very joyful to be right here in IndyCar.”
Criticism has additionally come from Freddie Hunt, son of 1976 world champion James Hunt.
Talking to the Telegraph, Hunt described the present hybrid-heavy period as “demoralising”.
“It’s run by AI,” he complained. “It’s unhealthy sufficient with all this battery energy.”
Requested what his father would consider trendy System 1, Hunt replied:
“I might think about he’d say, ‘Effectively, it is a load of garbage’ and search for employment elsewhere.”
Spanish Dakar determine and tv character Jesus Calleja additionally expressed frustration in an interview with Marca newspaper.
“I don’t prefer it in any respect,” Calleja mentioned.
“I simply don’t perceive it. The entire kilowatt factor – now I’ll take some away, now I’ll add some, now we’re going to have extra energy.”
“In the long run, the automotive decides greater than the driving force.”
In the meantime, former Haas driver Mick Schumacher echoed most of the identical considerations whereas making ready for the Indianapolis 500.
“System 1 right this moment appears very difficult from a technical perspective,” Schumacher mentioned. “Maybe too centered on engineering.”
“The automobiles are most likely not as intuitive to drive, and maybe you’ll be able to’t continuously go one hundred pc like earlier than.”
Like a number of present and former F1 figures, Schumacher additionally backed a future return to V8 engines.
“I hope that adjustments sooner or later and I sincerely hope the V8 engines return,” he mentioned. “That may be incredible.”
“I feel System 1 wants that sound and people huge engines. That’s what System 1 is to me.”
