Formula 1’s governing body is considering a swift course correction to the new regulations following complaints led by Max Verstappen. The debate surrounding the lack of enjoyment with the new engine formula and potential damage to the racing series’ image is prompting officials to act before Sunday’s race in Shanghai (8:00 AM Sky). “We have a few aces up our sleeve that we didn’t want to present as a hasty reaction before the first race, and we will discuss them with the teams after China,” said Nikolas Tombazis, Director of the International Automobile Federation (FIA).
The radical changes to Formula 1 for this season have sparked discussion among drivers, teams, officials, and fans since the season opener in Melbourne last week. The shift away from prioritizing full-throttle driving towards energy management, where drivers strategically plan race strategies and overtakes based on battery power, has been a point of contention. The new engines derive over 50 percent of their power from the battery, which must be recharged lap by lap.
Game Console Instead of Simulator
“You can make less of a difference. The more you’re on the gas and the later you want to brake, the worse it is for you,” explained four-time World Champion Verstappen regarding his dissatisfaction with the reform. The Dutch driver repeatedly compared the new regulations to the video game “Mario Kart,” joking that he’s now training on a game console instead of in a simulator.
In Shanghai, the Red Bull star also assured that “there are a few simple solutions. The FIA just needs to allow them with the battery.” He stated he has discussed a number of ideas with the governing body. “my proposal is better for everyone because it simply improves the race. It’s not about what I want – it’s about what’s better for the sport,” he said.
Originally, the series’ organizers intended to avoid making quick changes to the new regulations. “The worst thing would be to change something and make it worse,” warned Williams Team Chief James Vowles. Mercedes driver George Russell said, “We should give it more of a chance.” However, many anticipate the entertaining overtaking chaos seen in Australia won’t be repeated in China, nor will the impression that the fastest sections of the track are now more about battery charging than top speed.
“We should wait before making hasty decisions,” said Russell. However, after his opening race victory, Russell currently leads the World Championship standings and is setting a strong pace at the top in China. Mercedes appears to have found the best technical solution for the new rules, and as such, the 28-year-ancient has little interest in rapid changes.
Alonso: “The Challenge is Gone”
Many competitors disagree. Reigning title defender Lando Norris lamented that the required driving style is “not what we’ve ever learned and probably not what we wanted to do as kids.” Similar to veteran Fernando Alonso, the McLaren driver misses the risk factor in the fastest sections of the track.
“There have always been certain corners in Formula 1 that challenged the physics of going through those corners, and the driver had to use all his skill and be brave at times. That challenge is gone in a way. Now you use the corners to charge the battery and not to gain time,” explained Alonso.
Concerns about safety have also arisen, as the new electric boost could create significant speed differences at the start or in other tricky situations, potentially leading to dangerous accidents. Alpine driver Franco Colapinto nearly collided with Liam Lawson’s car on the first lap in Melbourne because Lawson was unable to get moving with a nearly depleted battery. “The start is a lottery at the moment,” said Colapinto’s teammate, Pierre Gasly.
Less Electric Boost as Early as Japan?
Williams driver Carlos Sainz stated that the new overtaking mode with additional boost makes the race cars up to 60 kilometers per hour faster, and he believes this is too artificial. “For me, it just doesn’t belong in the DNA of the sport,” emphasized the Spaniard.
FIA official Tombazis assured the specialist portal “The Race” that the energy management system will be reviewed. A first step could be to reduce the maximum electric boost. The measure could even be implemented at the race in Japan at the end of March.
Unexpectedly, there could be plenty of time for further adjustments. The two Grand Prix scheduled for April in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia are facing potential cancellation due to the Iran conflict.
