Haas driver and Ferrari Driver Academy member Oliver Bearman has offered his perspective on the latest Formula 1 start procedure regulation updates, suggesting that the changes introduced by the FIA are unlikely to significantly affect Ferrari’s power unit performance or the competitive balance at race starts in the 2026 season.
The discussion around revised start procedures has become a major talking point during the April break, particularly after Ferrari demonstrated a noticeable advantage in race starts during the opening three rounds of the championship. However, Oliver Bearman believes the adjustments are primarily safety-driven rather than performance-related.
FIA introduces start procedure changes ahead of Miami Grand Prix
The FIA has confirmed that several procedural updates will be implemented from the Miami Grand Prix onwards, marking the first race weekend following the extended April break in the Formula 1 calendar.
These revisions are primarily focused on improving safety at the start of races, particularly in response to incidents where cars have stalled or failed to launch properly from the grid, creating potentially dangerous situations for drivers in close proximity.
One of the key motivations behind the regulation update was to reduce the risk of repeat scenarios similar to previous grid incidents, where stationary cars posed a hazard during the launch phase of a Grand Prix.
Oliver Bearman downplays impact on Ferrari engine performance
During a media session held in Miami, which included representatives from ScuderiaFans.com, Oliver Bearman was asked whether the new FIA start procedure regulations could influence Ferrari’s strong performance off the line, as well as the competitiveness of Ferrari-powered Haas machinery.
The Ferrari junior stated that he does not expect the changes to have any meaningful impact on standard race starts, explaining that the adjustments are not designed to alter competitive performance but rather to improve safety in rare but high-risk situations.
He referenced recent commentary within the paddock, including a poor start from a Red Bull driver in China, but noted that even according to FIA assessments, such incidents would not have been influenced by the updated procedures. Instead, they were already classified as suboptimal starts unrelated to regulatory triggers.
Oliver Bearman further explained that the intention behind the changes is to eliminate extreme edge cases, like situations where a car fails to move off the grid entirely, which could create a serious safety hazard in a tightly packed field of Formula 1 cars.
Ferrari-powered starts remain competitive across the grid
While Ferrari has shown a particularly strong performance in race starts during the early phase of the 2026 Formula 1 season, Oliver Bearman emphasised that multiple teams have demonstrated competitive launch capabilities under the current regulations.
He highlighted that McLaren has produced some exceptionally strong starts in recent races, while Red Bull has also shown particularly effective launch performance in events like the Japanese Grand Prix.
According to Oliver Bearman, Ferrari’s current advantage at the start phase is notable but not exclusive, and he does not expect the FIA’s procedural updates to significantly alter the existing competitive order in normal race start conditions.
Instead, he suggested that the revised regulations should be viewed primarily as a safety enhancement, ensuring that extreme and unpredictable grid situations are managed more effectively without interfering with standard race dynamics.
Ferrari engines and Haas performance outlook in 2026 Formula 1 season
Ferrari’s power unit continues to be regarded as a strong component in the 2026 Formula 1 field, particularly in launch performance and initial acceleration phases. This has also benefited customer teams Haas and Cadillac.
However, within the broader context of the season, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, and Charles Leclerc remain focused on improving overall race consistency, with particular attention on long-run pace and tyre management rather than start-specific advantages alone.
Both Ferrari and its customer teams are expected to continue evaluating how regulatory adjustments interact with real-world race conditions, especially as the field becomes increasingly competitive across all three sectors of performance.
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