Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso continue to question the new-generation F1 cars. How will the FIA react?
We've had 13 races in the Formula One calendar so far. After the Spanish Grand Prix at the Madring, we'll be finished with this year's 14th race.
And yet, some drivers, a couple of multiple-time World Champions to be precise, are still criticizing the new-gen F1 cars.
First, we have Red Bull's Max Verstappen, who's arguably been the harshest critic of the current regulations. He has repeatedly criticized the way the 2026 cars use energy. Earlier in the season, the four-time World Champion said that racing in the 2026 cars is much like racing in "Mario Kart."
Now, he has doubled down on his criticism, as he pointed out the cars' performance and their seeming disconnect from driver skill. He used the example of Liam Lawson and reserve driver Yuki Tsunoda jumping into new cars and being immediately competitive.
In line with Isack Hadjar's wrist injury, Lawson jumped from the Racing Bulls to the main Red Bull seat. Meanwhile, Tsunoda slotted into Lawson's seat in the Racing Bulls. Lawson immediately made an impact in his first race for Red Bull, finishing P7 in the Dutch Grand Prix. Tsunoda finished in the points in just his second race of the year.
While Verstappen clarifies that drivers still need a "good lap and commitment", he observes that the fastest drivers still have a limited input on the performance on the car, especially on the straights.
Another World Champion mirrors Verstappen's sentiment
Verstappen is not alone in his harsh sentiment on the new F1 cars.
Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso has something "saddening" to say about this new generation of cars:
"It is. I mean, Is it is sad, you know, in a way with this generation of cars to to come to very nice circuit like like this one, with challenges here and there, like the Monumental corner, you know, Turn 12, and, the driver input is just nothing."
The 45-year-old driver would even jokingly say that his press officer can do a good drive in the Madring and turn in similar lap times through high-speed sections simply by having more battery charge available.
Alonso says that this shouldn't be the norm in Formula 1. He hints that it's not a "proper sport", which is why his decision to stay in F1 in 2027 might depend on what the FIA does with its current regulations.
How will the FIA react?
Look for the FIA to do regulatory damage control, but it would be difficult to completely overhaul the entire set of regulations. They have already agreed to a change in 2027, particularly in proving more power from the international combustion engine (ICE), as compared to the energy recovery system (ERS).
Let's see if further complaints from the drivers and teams can lead to more driver-centered changes in the F1 regulations.
