“Not the right formula”: Former Ferrari driver blasts 2026 engine rules and safety after Melbourne. Carlos Sainz Jr. criticizes the FIA over the new F1 2026 starting procedure.

Former Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz Jr. highlighted safety concerns with the new starting procedure after the opening round of the 2026 Formula 1 season. The starting process has been heavily debated since pre-season testing in Barcelona and Bahrain. Many teams warned the FIA that, with the new cars, this phase of the race is delicate and potentially dangerous.

At the Australian Grand Prix, the lights-out start caused problems for several drivers. Melbourne witnessed a dramatic launch, particularly involving Liam Lawson of VCARB and Franco Colapinto. Thanks to quick reflexes, the Alpine driver avoided a collision with Liam Lawson, who had a poor getaway. After the race, Sainz Jr. delivered a pointed critique of the FIA, highlighting safety issues during the start.

Safety alarm

Speaking to AS after the Australian GP, Carlos Sainz Jr. shared his first impressions of the new cars: “The feeling is negative. The start was dangerous, with many cars struggling—there were numerous position changes—and in the first lap, with active aerodynamics in corners and slipstreams, it was very risky. I didn’t like it. Safety must always come first, and this was not the safest first lap.”

The former Ferrari driver also pointed out several weaknesses of the new cars and urged the FIA to make changes to protect drivers: “This sport is called Formula 1. The formula they considered suitable for F1 is not the right one and needs to be changed. The 50-50 approach to make races more competitive doesn’t seem to work, and no one seems satisfied.”

Carlos Sainz’s blunt assessment suggests that the 2026 regulations have created a “perfect storm” of safety risks, where the combination of active aerodynamics and unpredictable power delivery makes the opening lap a lottery rather than a contest of skill. As the FIA gathers more data from these early rounds, the voices of veteran drivers will be crucial in determining whether the “50-50” power split is a sustainable future for the sport or a technical experiment that needs immediate adjustment.