Carlos Sainz has called for significant changes to the F1 2026 regulations after the Belgian Grand Prix intensified concerns over the speed, driving enjoyment and spectacle delivered by the new generation of Formula 1 cars. Having previously urged patience, the Williams driver now believes the weaknesses exposed at Spa-Francorchamps can no longer be ignored.
The Belgian Grand Prix may prove to be a turning point in the debate surrounding the 2026 technical regulations. Criticism had already been severe before the weekend, but the group of drivers, teams and paddock figures dissatisfied with the new rules expanded further following the race at Spa.
Carlos Sainz’s intervention carries particular weight because of his senior position within the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association. More significantly, the Spaniard had previously been among those urging observers to give the new cars sufficient time before reaching firm conclusions. After the opening major events of the season, however, that patience appears to have run out.
Iconic circuits expose the limitations of the F1 2026 regulations
Silverstone, Suzuka and Spa-Francorchamps were viewed as ideal circuits on which to assess the true potential of the new generation of Formula 1 cars. Their high-speed corners, substantial lateral loads and long flat-out sections provided the perfect test of whether the regulatory philosophy had delivered on its promises.
So far, the verdict has not been encouraging. Pole position at the Belgian Grand Prix was considerably slower than it had been the previous year, while cornering speeds at several points around Spa indicated a clear step backwards.
Those figures added to concerns that had already emerged during previous rounds. Fernando Alonso had gone as far as identifying the new regulations as one of the significant factors influencing his thoughts about his future in Formula 1.
Carlos Sainz now believes the championship cannot continue to overlook the problem.
“I think everyone knows that this is not enough for Formula 1 and that it needs to be changed,” the Spanish driver said.
Electrical energy management changes how drivers approach corners
The management of electrical energy remains at the centre of the debate. The increased importance of the electric component forces drivers to change their approach significantly, often prioritising energy recovery rather than pursuing maximum performance through high-speed corners.
According to several leading figures in the paddock, this has fundamentally altered the behaviour of the cars. Drivers must continuously compromise between carrying speed through corners and retaining enough energy for the following straights, disrupting the natural rhythm that has traditionally defined Formula 1 driving.
The complexity of the new hybrid systems has already been highlighted by Ferrari and Mercedes, whose engineers and drivers have explained why the 2026 Formula 1 power units are so difficult to manage.
Carlos Sainz summarised the problem clearly by admitting that the current generation of cars is less enjoyable to drive than its predecessors.
“It is clear that none of us enjoys driving these cars as much as we did in previous years,” the former Ferrari driver explained.
Charles Leclerc has also expressed frustration with the new generation, admitting that the Ferrari SF-26 can still feel unnatural behind the wheel.
Monza may reveal a different version of the same problem
Carlos Sainz also pointed out that a circuit such as Monza will present a different set of difficulties. With fewer high-speed corners, the cars may suffer less from reduced cornering performance than they did at Spa, but drivers will still have to contend with superclipping strategies and increasingly intrusive energy management along the straights.
Superclipping occurs when a car’s electrical deployment drops sharply before the end of a straight, causing a noticeable loss of acceleration and top speed. The effect has become one of the most visible consequences of the balance between electrical energy usage, recovery and deployment under the F1 2026 regulations.
The subject has also generated debate over the relative performance of the different power units, with Mercedes’ statements about its Spa engine performance raising further questions about the FIA’s assessment system.
Carlos Sainz doubts the 2027 changes will solve the problem
The FIA and Formula 1 manufacturers are already discussing possible corrections for 2027, but Carlos Sainz is not convinced that those changes will be sufficient to alter the fundamental philosophy of the cars.
In the Williams driver’s view, the core issue will remain unchanged for as long as the electrical component continues to exert such a significant influence over performance. Teams will inevitably have to design cars that sacrifice cornering speed to preserve energy for deployment later in the lap.
That concern has prompted discussion extending beyond the current regulatory cycle. In recent months, the possibility of returning to less heavily electrified power units from 2030 or 2031 has been raised with increasing frequency, and the FIA has begun evaluating such a scenario alongside the manufacturers.
Carlos Sainz believes that direction may eventually represent the more appropriate evolution for Formula 1.
“The changes for 2027 probably will not really alter things,” he said. “They will improve certain aspects, but I think everyone is becoming tired of this enormous dependence on electricity. Sooner or later, we will move back towards what has always worked.” – the former Ferrari driver pointed out.
F1 faces a wider debate over speed, spectacle and driver enjoyment
The criticism emerging after Spa is no longer focused on a single technical detail. It concerns the wider identity of Formula 1 and whether the 2026 regulations have produced cars capable of delivering the speed, natural driving style and spectacle expected from the championship.
High-speed circuits were meant to demonstrate the strengths of the new formula, but Silverstone, Suzuka and Spa instead highlighted concerns about slower cornering, electrical deployment and compromised driving techniques. Even when teams achieve competitive performances, the demands of the regulations can still affect how naturally the cars behave.
Ferrari’s Belgian Grand Prix provided one example. Despite the SF-26 performing better than expected at Spa, the team still faced energy deployment and straight-line compromises, although its three-tenth deficit to Mercedes offered reasons for optimism.
Carlos Sainz’s change of tone therefore represents another important development in the debate. A driver who initially encouraged patience now believes Formula 1 has seen enough evidence to conclude that meaningful changes are required.
Whether the adjustments being considered for 2027 can address those concerns remains uncertain. Carlos Sainz’s comments suggest that more fundamental decisions concerning electrification and power-unit philosophy may eventually be required if Formula 1 wants to restore the speed, fluidity and driving enjoyment associated with previous generations.
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