Are F1’s 2026 rules going to be tweaked, and when?
Formula 1’s new-for-2026 rules have received a mixed reception so far. Drivers tend to enjoy the smaller, nimbler cars, but this has been overshadowed by the greater emphasis on electric energy and the consequent preponderance of energy management.
Drivers are openly dissatisfied with the amount of energy-saving and energy-harvesting tactics the new cars require in qualifying – lifting and coasting, downshifting on straights, super clipping (charging the battery while at full throttle). An unintended consequence is they no longer push in high-speed corners.
The new rules have greatly increased the action on Sundays, with 149 overtaking moves officially recorded over the first three grand prix races – a conservative figure as it only accounts for overtaking-related position changes on the finish line, with lap one excluded. This is substantially more than the 63 passes from the Melbourne, Shanghai and Suzuka contests last year.
However, there have been concerns about closing speeds between cars using energy and those harvesting it, concerns which have been heightened by Ollie Bearman’s frightening Suzuka crash. Furthermore, Lando Norris has reported being unable to control his car’s own energy management.
A first meeting took place on 9 April regarding potential rule tweaks, both for the remainder of the season and the upcoming campaigns, with all stakeholders set to gather again on 20 April, after a sporting group meeting on 15 April and a technical group meeting on 16 April.
Potential avenues include reducing the amount of electric energy drivers are allowed to deploy and increasing the amount of energy they can harvest when super clipping.
Will anyone challenge Mercedes for the title?
George Russell, Mercedes
Photo by: Clive Mason / Getty Images
F1’s new era could hardly have started in better fashion for Mercedes, which took a 1-2 in the first two grands prix while Kimi Antonelli won and George Russell finished fourth at Suzuka.
The Silver Arrows have had a clear edge in qualifying – eight tenths in Australia, three-and-a-half tenths in China and Japan – and their poor launches at lights out, especially relative to Ferrari, have turned out to be a slight hurdle more than an actual stumbling block.
The Scuderia believes it can close the gap thanks to the ADUO (Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities) mechanism, according to which power units will be evaluated after the sixth, 12th and 18th grands prix of the season. Each time, manufacturers which are between 2% and 4% down on the best engine’s power will be allowed an additional upgrade, while those who are more than 4% down will get two.
However, both Charles Leclerc and team boss Fred Vasseur have made it clear that the SF-26 can be improved in all areas, not just the powertrain.
Meanwhile, McLaren’s Japanese GP performance was encouraging, as Oscar Piastri outqualified the Ferraris, took the lead at the start and raced to second, but the Woking-based squad is aware it remains third-fastest for the time being.
Who will come out on top in the midfield battle?
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Photo by: Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
This is a slightly tricky question to answer, as it requires defining who is part of the midfield battle.
One month ago, Red Bull probably wouldn’t have been included, but the fact is the team lies sixth in the constructors’ standings with 16 points, surrounded by Haas (18), Alpine (16) and Racing Bulls (14).
The team’s qualifying pace is its worst since 2015 relative to the competition, and the situation is no better in races.
“We have a good power unit. The engine is good. The chassis side is terrible. We’re just slow in the corners,” Isack Hadjar coolly stated. “The only positive right now is that I can drive the car fast. But we have no lead on how we can make the car fast.”
Team principal Laurent Mekies believes Red Bull is paying the price for its 2025 title charge, but regardless of the cause, there is no solution in sight – and the team’s brain exodus is worsening.
One might assume the championship situation is circumstantial, but Alpine’s Pierre Gasly actually outqualified both Red Bulls at Shanghai and Suzuka, with Haas’ Oliver Bearman also finishing ahead under the chequered flag in China.
Racing Bulls has also been a consistent challenger for points with Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad – coincidentally showing the Red Bull Ford engine is not to blame for Red Bull’s form – so the fight for fourth position is somewhat unpredictable.
Red Bull won’t be helped by the Aerodynamic Testing Restrictions, with fewer wind tunnel and CFD simulations relative to its rivals owing to its third place in last year’s classification; having finished last in 2025, Alpine will enjoy the most tests until the end of June, when the ATR will be reset according to the provisional 2026 standings.
Will Aston Martin and Honda fix their issues?
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Photo by: Paul Crock / AFP via Getty Images
The mighty Aston Martin outfit’s Honda era got off to the poorest possible start.
Billionaire owner Lawrence Stroll hoped a works engine deal would give his team the best chance to succeed and finally become a top team, amid mammoth investment into its Silverstone campus and high-profile hires. Yet the Adrian Newey-designed AMR26 lacks both performance and reliability.
In qualifying, Aston battles with newcomer Cadillac over the penultimate row of the grid; in races, Honda’s new power unit generated crippling vibrations that damaged battery after battery and sparked driver health concerns, though the situation improved somewhat in the latest round at Suzuka, where Fernando Alonso finished the race – down in 18th.
By now, the 2026 campaign is highly likely to be a write-off for Aston Martin and Honda, both of which will be keen to focus on next year as early as possible in order to bounce back.
Will Verstappen quit F1 over his dislike of the new rules?
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Photo by: Mark Thompson / Getty Images
There is a not-unsignificant chance that Max Verstappen will leave Formula 1 in a near future – and Red Bull’s aforementioned downfall is not the main reason.
The four-time world champion has been one of the most vocal critics of F1’s new rules, particularly the energy management, and has made it clear that he isn’t having fun right now – which is particularly frustrating for him given he warned about the new rules’ flaws as early as 2023.
The tweaks that will be made in the upcoming meetings will play a key role in shaping Verstappen’s future in or out of the world championship, as the Dutchman seeks enjoyment in GT racing and has made it clear he had “life” decisions to make.
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– The Autosport.com Team
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