Rules now modified
This is how Formula 1 wants to end the driver protests
April 23, 2026 – 5:30 p.mReading time: 3 minutes
Formula 1 would like to correct the problems associated with the new engines by adapting the new rules. But will that work?
Forced break, used productively: Due to the canceled races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia due to the Iran war, Formula 1 is currently having to take a break for a whole month. But for the heads of the racing series, the regulators of the international automobile association FIA and the teams, the break in no way meant a vacation. Rather, after only three races had been completed, those responsible had to use the break in the season to tweak the rules that had only been introduced at the beginning of the year.
The core of the trouble is the new drive units. Almost half of their energy comes from an electric motor. This forces drivers to constantly manage the battery, even during a single lap. The pilots’ complaints were numerous. Four-time champion Max Verstappen became the chief critic, describing car racing as “anti-racing”, and world champion Lando Norris also stated that his “soul hurts”. Formula 1 was forced to act during its break. Now she has presented the first measures.
There was particularly a lot of criticism in qualifying with the new cars. In qualifying, which determines the starting order for the races, the drivers hunt for the fastest lap time. This was always a highlight for fans and drivers as the drivers had to push their vehicles to the absolute limit. Little fuel and therefore weight, no tire management, no battery management – instead just full throttle. And then came the new rules.
With the new engines, driving at the absolute limit is no longer possible. Drivers have to take fast corners more slowly to save battery energy and sometimes even have to let off the accelerator earlier on the straights so that they have the maximum electric power available elsewhere. The anger among fans and drivers alike was great.
Formula 1 is now reacting. The solution should be that the engines will be allowed to charge less electrical energy per lap in the future. This means they have to go into charging mode less often and drivers can accelerate more often and for longer. The disadvantage: Overall, this makes cars slower.