Lando Norris has delivered a scathing critique of Formula One, arguing that its management prioritizes making money and attracting new manufacturers over sporting considerations in its new regulations, leading to driver dissatisfaction.
Formula One drivers, including George Russell, Max Verstappen, and Oscar Piastri, voiced strong frustration at the Belgian Grand Prix over new computer-controlled energy deployment regulations, arguing they neuter the driving experience and impact race outcomes.
Formula 1 key players have agreed on incremental engine changes for 2027 and 2028, addressing driver concerns about energy management. The power split will shift from 53-47 to 58-42 in 2027 and 60-40 in 2028, with increased fuel flow and ICE output.
The improved form of McLaren and Red Bull and in Florida suggests the 2026 title race is likely to run and runThere is a long old way to go but after Formula One emerged from its enforced early season break with an entertaining romp around the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, it indicated that there may yet be a decent tale to be told this season. One where Mercedes do not have it all their own way.Regulation changes dominated the buildup – of which more later because honestly paragraph two is too early to subject readers to the increasingly soul-destroying phrase “energy management” – but what really mattered in Miami was the sporting imperative of upgrades making a competitive difference. Continue reading...
Norris and Piastri call for long-term changes to sportMercedes’ Wolff suggests battery needs to remainFormula One is under increasing pressure to consider immediate changes and the long-term future of its new engines, with the world champion Lando Norris reiterating after the Miami Grand Prix that the only answer to address sport-wide dissatisfaction was to “get rid of the battery”.At the meeting in Florida, which was won by Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli, with Norris second, F1 and the FIA had brought in fresh regulations to address unhappiness and safety concerns prompted by the pivotal role energy management plays under the new 2026 formula. Continue reading...
Lando Norris has expressed his belief that Max Verstappen will remain in Formula One despite the four-time world champion's dissatisfaction with new regulations focused on electrical energy management. Norris, the defending world champion, said it would be 'a miss' for the sport if Verstappen left, calling him 'one of the best drivers you'll see in Formula One ever'. The FIA announced changes to the regulations on Monday, due to take effect at the Miami Grand Prix on May 3, which both Norris and teammate Oscar Piastri welcomed cautiously.
Formula 1 stakeholders have finalized changes to the sport's hybrid energy system, effective from the Miami Grand Prix (May 1-3). The modifications reduce maximum recharge from 8 MJ to 7 MJ in qualifying, increase harvesting capacity to 350 kW during super clipping, and implement tiered MGU-K deployment limits—full 350 kW in acceleration zones versus 250 kW elsewhere. The changes aim to address dangerous speed differentials up to 70 km/h and reduce the need for constant energy management, while also introducing safety tweaks for race starts and wet conditions.
The FIA has confirmed rule changes for the current Formula One season following driver dissatisfaction and safety concerns with new energy management regulations. The changes, agreed upon by the FIA, team principals, and F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, include reducing the qualifying energy recharge limit from 8 to 7 megajoules and increasing the super clipping recharge limit from 250kW to 350kW. Max Verstappen has considered his future in F1 due to the energy management impact on racing, while Oliver Bearman's Suzuka accident highlighted safety concerns around differing closing speeds. The rules will be ratified before the Miami Grand Prix on May 3.
