Too many retirements even before the start: for Carlos Sainz, what happened in Shanghai “does not help Formula 1.” The Spanish driver had already been outspoken in his criticism of the 2026 regulations, also citing safety concerns. In China, as many as four cars did not even take part in the race: the two McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, the Audi of Gabriel Bortoleto, and the other Williams of Alexander Albon. Something clearly needs to change in the coming months.
The new era of Formula 1 is generating highly contrasting opinions. Some, like Lewis Hamilton, praise the on-track spectacle and the improved drivability of the new cars, which allow for close, karting-style battles. At the same time, however, drivers such as Max Verstappen have been very critical of the 2026 regulations, explaining how energy management puts driver skill in the background.
The new power units are particularly complex, and engineers are working tirelessly to find solutions to already known issues. The optimization of the electrical systems will come with time, as Carlos Sainz hopes, but for now it is the image of the sport itself that is at risk. What happened in China, according to the Spaniard, “is not a good look for anyone.”
Sainz: “These engines make our lives harder”
Speaking after the race, Carlos Sainz was clear: “I think not having the two McLarens, a Williams and an Audi on the grid shows how much we are complicating our lives by creating super complex engines, with extremely sophisticated software and very intricate battery management. I still think it’s not a good image.”
“In the end, it’s up to the teams to develop the engines, but when the rules are so demanding and restrictive, it becomes very difficult to build something reliable, because it is extremely complex for everyone. I have an idea of what the ideal Formula 1 should be like, and this is definitely very far from that idea. At the same time, I hope that development and refinement of the regulations can improve things in the near future.”
The technical nightmare in Shanghai has therefore intensified the debate over whether F1 has sacrificed reliability for complexity in its 2026 reboot. With high-profile stars like Carlos Sainz and Max Verstappen speaking out, the pressure is mounting on the FIA to streamline these “super complex” systems. Based on the content of the post-race reports, the upcoming month-long break will be a frantic period for engine departments to ensure the Japan and Miami grid actually features twenty cars.
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