What have we learned from the races in Australia, China, and Japan? Here is what works and what still needs to change.
Formula 1 now enters a five-week break before the next race in Miami. The first three rounds of the 2026 championship have delivered mixed feedback regarding the new set of regulations, one of the most debated rule changes in the history of motorsport.
There is no shortage of positive aspects, but the negatives are just as evident and have led many fans to question the new identity of Formula 1. The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile will use this “break” period between Japan and Miami to discuss and potentially reassess the regulations, with the approval of the other key stakeholders: Formula One Management and the teams.
The objective is to better address the concerns of the drivers, who so far have barely been heard, particularly regarding safety, the purity of driving, and the quality of the spectacle. However, it is now too late to implement major changes like the balance between internal combustion and electric power. That said, there is still time to fix what is not working with a view to the future. The only crucial requirement, should any regulatory aspect change, will be unanimous approval from the teams—something far from guaranteed.
F1 2026 – The advantages highlighted by the new regulations
The Japanese Grand Prix demonstrated that the new cars can deliver strong on-track action during races. In previous editions—aside from a few unforgettable weekends such as 1989 or 2005—it was rare to witness such an action-packed race in Japan.
The reduction in size and width of the cars, combined with the removal of ground-effect floors, has made overtaking easier and increased wheel-to-wheel battles. The battery factor also plays a significant role in position changes, although this is not necessarily a positive aspect of the new Formula 1. However, the so-called “artificial overtakes” created by boost or overtake modes are no more predictable than those previously seen with DRS.
Looking back at previous eras, there has always been some system or mechanism introduced to enhance on-track action. Examples include DRS or the highly degrading tires seen in the early 2010s. Therefore, race day—Sunday—remains one of the most positive aspects of the new regulations.
Another change that has had a positive impact on the sport is the new tire construction. With narrower tires, combined with active aerodynamics and constant battery management, degradation is significantly lower compared to past seasons, where strategy often dictated the entire race. In 2026, strategy remains important, but tire management is no longer the dominant factor to monitor throughout the race.
F1 2026 – The drawbacks highlighted by the new regulations
As mentioned earlier, the 2026 Formula 1 regulations are among the most controversial ever introduced. The 50/50 split between the internal combustion engine and the battery has failed to meet the expectations of both drivers and fans. Battery recharge—especially through “superclipping”—is frustrating to watch for those who grew up with the sound and power of V10 and V12 engines echoing around racetracks.
At Suzuka, seeing cars lose nearly 50 km/h through the section from 130R to the chicane while at full throttle simply to recharge the battery is something difficult to accept.
Moreover, this same issue contributed to one of the most violent crashes in recent times, with an impact force of 50G involving Oliver Bearman, who fortunately walked away unharmed. The speed delta between a car harvesting energy and another attempting an overtake is simply too large—and too dangerous. Driver safety must always come first.
Finally, another heavily debated aspect concerns the power unit. Unlike the ground-effect era, where aerodynamics dominated, the 2026 Formula 1 cars place greater emphasis on power over chassis efficiency and airflow performance. It is far less exciting to see victories determined by the most powerful engine rather than by the most balanced car or the one that performs best in corners. Thanks in part to systems like the ADUO, this remains an area that requires attention.
F1 2026 – What can be improved?
One of the weakest aspects of this new Formula 1 is undoubtedly qualifying. As Charles Leclerc stated in both China and Japan, pushing at 100% is no longer the optimal approach to achieve peak performance. Qualifying should represent the ultimate expression of speed, where drivers and cars showcase their full potential. Watching lift-and-coast and superclipping during qualifying is, quite frankly, unacceptable: drivers must push flat out—that is the essence of Formula 1.
Closely linked to this issue, as mentioned earlier, is the problem of speed differentials, which significantly impact driver safety, as seen in Bearman’s incident. This situation can be improved, even in the short term, as the FIA has the tools to regulate how much energy can be harvested and deployed over a lap.
For the sake of both drivers and fans, it is crucial that the Federation makes the right decisions during this one-month “break” to address, as much as possible, the safety concerns and the loss of sporting purity that are currently affecting Formula 1.
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