Wurz acknowledges progress but highlights key issue: drivers consulted too late in the 2026-2030 regulatory process
Logic suggests that when the director of the GPDA—the association representing Formula 1 drivers—speaks, it reflects a position that is widely shared across the grid. The comments made by Alexander Wurz, president and a central figure within the organisation, clearly point in that direction and offer an insightful overview of the current situation.
Speaking to Austrian broadcaster ORF, Alexander Wurz provided a concise and balanced assessment of where things stand: “We are not there yet, but overall the changes represent a step in the right direction.” It is a statement that, while maintaining a diplomatic tone, underlines how Formula 1 is still some distance away from achieving a regulatory framework that fully satisfies its drivers.
F1 – Drivers brought into the process too late
The core issue does not relate solely to the substance of the changes that have been introduced, but rather to the process by which they were defined. Drivers, in fact, were brought into the conversation far too late in the decision-making cycle. This concern had already been raised by several key figures within the paddock over recent weeks.
From Carlos Sainz, who is also a GPDA member, to Max Verstappen, along with other prominent drivers on the grid, the concerns have been largely aligned. The way the period following the opening three races was handled exposed a lack of structured dialogue between the FIA, key stakeholders, and the drivers themselves.
It was only in April that a formal meeting with the drivers finally took place, involving a series of discussions aimed at gathering their feedback and perspectives. While this step was necessary, it came too late in the overall process. The fundamental issue is that such consultation should have occurred years earlier, during the early development phase of the 2026-2030 regulations, when the core framework was being shaped between Liberty Media, engine manufacturers, the FIA, and the teams.
A long process and a delayed correction
Formula 1 has now embarked on a path of recalibration, but expecting immediate results would be unrealistic. The changes introduced in April and ratified by the World Motor Sport Council ahead of the Miami Grand Prix represent an initial adjustment rather than a final solution.
The inherent inertia of a five-year regulatory cycle means that progress will inevitably take time. It is entirely plausible that several months, or even an entire season, will be required before tangible outcomes begin to reflect the expectations and requests put forward by the drivers.
In conclusion, one key consideration remains difficult to ignore. The current situation raises a fundamental question: why reach this point when a more inclusive approach from the outset could have avoided the need for mid-cycle revisions? Involving engine manufacturers, teams, sponsors and, above all, the drivers themselves from the very beginning would likely have prevented the need for adjustments at this stage.
Because ultimately, it is the drivers—the ones who lower the visor and step into the cockpit—who represent the very essence of the spectacle. And perhaps they are also the voices that deserved to be heard before anyone else.
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