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Lewis Hamilton says Formula 1 drivers have little influence in the coming discussions over the sport’s new power units, as the first races exposed problems that now need fixing.
Alexander Wurz says Formula 1 drivers are firing off ideas in a busy WhatsApp group as discussions loom over possible changes to the 2026 power unit rules.
Suzuka, like Melbourne before it, exposed the same problem again: modern Formula 1 is spending too much time managing energy and not enough time attacking the lap. After the Bearman-Colapinto crash, the FIA says April will bring meetings to decide whether the new regulations need fine-tuning.
Carlos Sainz says the FIA should not rely only on team feedback as it prepares to review the more controversial parts of the 2026 Formula 1 regulations ahead of Miami. The Williams driver argues that the sport’s closing speeds have become too extreme and that drivers need a real voice in the process.
Journalists and a media watchdog have asked the FIA to step in after Max Verstappen barred Guardian correspondent Giles Richards from his Suzuka press conference, triggering a wider row over access and respect.
Haas rookie Oliver Bearman says the FIA's decision to cut qualifying recharge from 9.0MJ to 8.0MJ at Suzuka will slow cars and leave drivers still struggling with energy management. He wants clearer software rules and more harvesting power instead.
Mercedes has dominated the opening rounds of the 2026 F1 season. George Russell says other teams are looking to hold them back, after engine and front-wing questions put the Silver Arrows under the microscope.
The FIA has cut the maximum recoverable energy in qualifying at Suzuka from 9 MJ to 8 MJ to limit lift-and-coast and power unit clipping. The change is agreed with engine makers, applies only to qualifying, and further fixes are expected in Miami.
The FIA has launched a formal probe into Mercedes after Ferrari asked questions about the W17’s front wing. Video suggested the wing closed in two stages, letting Mercedes skirt a 400ms rule and gain braking stability. Officials are now looking into whether this trick breaks the rules.
Mercedes has been testing a two-stage return of its front wing to Corner Mode. The trick aims to manage aero balance during braking, and while rivals have raised questions, FIA sensors currently classify the move as legal. Suzuka will be the real test.
The FIA plans to validate power unit performance after the Miami GP so teams can use the Aduo development windows even though Bahrain and Saudi cancellations altered the original six-race observation period.
Shanghai looked calmer than Melbourne: Lewis says the new cars are easier to follow, but Max and others warn the season could turn into a battery management contest. FIA will wait before changing anything.