Formula 1 drivers expressed widespread dissatisfaction with the new 2026 regulations following the Australian Grand Prix, citing unnatural driving techniques due to battery management. Mercedes secured a dominant 1-2 finish with George Russell winning ahead of Kimi Antonelli, while Max Verstappen recovered from a qualifying crash to finish sixth. The event at Albert Park highlighted the challenges of the energy-poor track under the revised power unit rules.
The 2026 Formula 1 season opened at Melbourne's Albert Park with the Australian Grand Prix, where the new regulations—featuring a 50:50 split between electric and internal combustion power—drew sharp criticism from multiple drivers. Max Verstappen, who crashed out in Q1 after a rear lock-up at Turn 1, described his feelings as "completely empty," stating, "I'm not enjoying it at all." He qualified 20th but fought back to sixth, adding that the cars require unnatural techniques like lifting and coasting to save battery, which has "very little to do with racing."
Defending champion Lando Norris, finishing fifth for McLaren, called the cars "probably the worst," lamenting the shift from "the best cars ever made in Formula 1 and the nicest to drive." He noted the constant need to monitor the dashboard for energy levels, which distracted from debris during qualifying. Lewis Hamilton, fourth for Ferrari, echoed this, saying the rules are "completely against what Formula 1 is about—flat-out, full attack," as drivers must half-throttle through corners and straights to manage power.
Charles Leclerc, third for Ferrari, described the cars as "not the most fun to drive," while team principal Andrea Stella acknowledged that Albert Park "exposes some of the weaknesses" in the regulations, particularly energy harvesting on fast corners and long straights. George Russell, the race winner, offered a more positive view, stating, "Once you get your head around it, it becomes like a new normal," though he admitted it's not "pure racing."
The race saw early chaos with Oscar Piastri crashing on the reconnaissance lap, missing the start. Mercedes' dominance was evident, but post-race, Norris warned of increased dangers from closing speeds up to 50 kph during battery harvesting. The drivers' briefing was intense, with calls for FIA adjustments after more races. Albert Park's energy-poor layout amplified issues, but teams like McLaren and Red Bull lagged behind Ferrari and Mercedes in race pace.
