Formula 1 drivers have criticized aspects of the 2026 regulations following the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, particularly energy management affecting qualifying and on-track battles. Alpine's Pierre Gasly called for tweaks but pushed back against excessive negativity, while McLaren's Lando Norris and Williams' Alexander Albon detailed specific issues. A review meeting is planned next week ahead of the Miami race.
Alpine driver Pierre Gasly voiced support for adjusting the 2026 Formula 1 regulations, which emphasize electric energy management and have altered qualifying strategies. Drivers must now lift and coast or super clip to charge batteries, reducing flat-out pushing in key corners. Gasly, speaking in Japan, said, 'I think, honestly, there's a bit too much negativity around it and I don't like that.' He added that driver skill remains crucial, as cars with reduced downforce are trickier in corners, and stressed unity among drivers for improvements during the upcoming review before Miami in four weeks' time. Gasly has shone this season, finishing sixth in Shanghai and defending seventh in Japan after Alpine's switch to Mercedes power units. The Japanese Grand Prix spotlighted racing flaws through a late battle for fifth between Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton and McLaren's Lando Norris. On lap 50, Norris used electric boost out of Spoon to close on Hamilton before 130R, lifting at nearly 330 km/h to avoid collision. Regulations force MGU-K redeployment after lifting, wasting energy Norris did not want. 'The problem is, it deploys into 130R,' Norris explained post-race. 'I have to lift, otherwise I'll drive into him... There's nothing I can do about it.' Similar issues affected Red Bull's Isack Hadjar earlier. Williams' Alexander Albon raised safety concerns over closing speeds, linked to active aerodynamics and modes like Straight Mode. Oliver Bearman's 308 km/h crash approaching slower cars underscored the risks. 'It feels really awkward now, because you want to defend but you're sometimes worried that the car behind – if they're in control of their car,' Albon said after drivers' briefing discussions. Albon's Suzuka race became a test session with multiple stops due to front wing experiments.
