Formula 1's governing body, the FIA, plans no significant regulatory changes before the Japanese Grand Prix despite mixed paddock opinions on the new technical rules. An evaluation after the China sprint weekend proceeds as scheduled, but teams oppose knee-jerk reactions. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff welcomes fan enthusiasm while wary of political motives.
After the first two races under Formula 1's new technical regulations—in Melbourne and Shanghai—driver opinions remain split. Lewis Hamilton, after his first Ferrari podium in China, praised the racing: “I think it’s the best racing that I’ve ever experienced in Formula 1... It felt like go-karting, back and forth.” In contrast, Max Verstappen called it “terrible,” adding, “If someone likes this, then you really don't know what racing is about.” Fernando Alonso described it as “a battle of the batteries.” Verstappen likened it to Mario Kart in prior comments echoed here post-race. Aston Martin’s Alonso reiterated battery-focused criticisms, while Haas principal Ayao Komatsu warned against a ‘knee-jerk reaction.’ The FIA spokesperson confirmed the planned post-China evaluation with teams and stakeholders continues as part of “ongoing dialogue,” but no short-term changes precede Japan. Reasons include acceptable race entertainment, despite issues like lift-and-coast in qualifying; varying track effects—Melbourne’s “harvesting poor” per McLaren’s Andrea Stella versus better recovery in Shanghai; and a post-Japan break due to cancelled Bahrain and Saudi Arabia grands prix. Toto Wolff noted fan data shows “the vast majority... likes the sport,” citing live excitement and social media, after speaking with Stefano Domenicali. Williams’ James Vowles mentioned four or five options, like increasing super clipping to 350kW or reducing electric power share—though the latter seems extreme to some. Wolff added caution: “We have a good car... Let's see what kind of political knives are going to come out... to take away some advantages held by Mercedes.” Changes, if any, await after Japan before Miami in early May.
