Seemingly in unison, the F1 paddock looks at one driver skill as the most important aspect of their success this season.
Formula One's new regulations in 2026 have been nothing short of massive. If it were not, it wouldn't be talked about up until now that we're midway through the season.
Just recently, two important figures in the F1 grid have offered their thoughts about these new regulations. And they're pointing to one valuable driver skill this season: adaptability.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella and Audi Revolut driver Gabriel Bortoleto recently spoke about the regulatory changes.
Stella mentioned that the regulations have been "disruptive" to drivers, particularly in the way they drive. The former race engineer went on to say that his drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, have adapted to the changes and have "responded in the right way."
True enough, McLaren struggled early this season, especially with reliability becoming a major issue for the team. Among the four frontrunners, which include Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull, McLaren has the most DNFs so far.
But the Papaya team has recovered recently, with Norris winning the Hungarian Grand Prix before the summer break. Norris himself pointed to adaptability as a mark of a good driver. The reigning World Champion would even say that he had to change his driving style every year.
Bortoleto mirrors the adaptability requirement
Gabriel Bortoleto, who is in his second year in F1, believes that drivers like him should be able to "adapt to any type of car." He pointed to the likes of Norris, Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, and Charles Leclerc as great drivers who haven't lost their form in the first year of the new regs.
Despite a relatively slower car in the midfield, Bortoleto has been performing decently for Audi. He has scored 10 points so far, eight points more than his veteran teammate Nico Hulkenberg. His best finish this season is P8, which he achieved twice during the British and Belgian Grand Prix.
Hamilton reflects on adaptability…back in 2020
Back in 2020, then-Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton said that he had to change his driving style every year. This was on the heels of his F1 dominance, when he had won three straight championships prior, including five of the last six championships.
After saying this, Hamilton would win another championship that year.
So, there it is. If a multiple-time champion tells you something, you've got to listen. Along with the car's raw power and reliability, an F1 driver's ability to make changes to their driving style can spell their success.
