Do fans like the new F1?
One of the main topics following the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, the season opener of the 2026 Formula 1 season marked by a regulatory revolution, has undoubtedly been the evaluation of the spectacle on track. How do we judge overtakes in terms of the driver’s actual skill? Where does the driver’s ability end and the car’s energy management begin? How will the public receive this approach in the long term?
FormulaPassion.it asked Francesco Cigarini, who spent 22 years at Ferrari as a mechatronic mechanic, for his opinion on what was seen over the Melbourne weekend.
Looks like a video game on TV, but in the grandstands…
Francesco Cigarini, how did you see this new Formula 1?
“Last week, the 2026 F1 World Championship began, and it did so with logistical difficulties affecting all personnel and equipment arriving from Europe or Bahrain (the equipment had departed for Melbourne after testing). This latest war – despite its tragic consequences – highlighted how much the transport world over the years has relied on airports and Middle Eastern routes. Closing this part of the world for obvious reasons caused the entire system to collapse, and the teams had to find more than alternative routes to arrive on time. But in the end, everything went as planned.
“So how is the ‘new F1’? Live, it still has its charm. The packed grandstands and the continuous roar of the crowd, especially in the first part of the race, demonstrated the intact passion and the desire to see the drivers fight against each other. And that is exactly what happened.”
From the screen to the stands
“On TV, it may look like a polished video game, but in person, the atmosphere is completely different. Watching the engines, the speed, and the battle between drivers up close gives a feeling that no broadcast can fully convey. Fans want to see the skill, the strategy, and the moments of courage. The new regulations have added complexity, but also excitement, and from the stands, it feels electric.”
“The Melbourne weekend was a clear example of this. The spectacle on track, the full grandstands, and the passionate roars of the audience during every key maneuver reminded everyone why Formula 1 remains so compelling. Television shows one version of the sport, but being there, hearing the crowd, seeing the drivers push to the limits, it’s a completely different experience.”
Francesco Cigarini’s insights remind us that while the “gamification” of Formula 1 through energy management and on-screen data is accelerating, the core appeal remains the physical battle on the asphalt. As the 2026 season progresses, the challenge for the FIA and FOM will be to harmonize these high-tech systems with the raw, unscripted drama that keeps grandstands packed around the world.
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