Bleekemolen, a former Formula 1 driver, has raised a very interesting criticism of the new regulations the FIA has designed for Formula 1 from 2026.
The new engine regulations planned by the FIA for Formula 1 from 2026 are already sparking debate, even before their official debut on track. Looking at the upcoming technical era with strong skepticism is Michael Bleekemolen, a former F1 driver, who fears a clear step backwards in terms of competitiveness.
In an interview given to the latest issue of FORMULE 1 Magazine, Bleekemolen expressed all his concerns about the future of the category, highlighting the risk of losing one of the most appreciated aspects of recent seasons.
According to Bleekemolen, the new regulatory cycle could break the balance that has recently been seen across the grid. “I’m afraid that large gaps between the teams will return and that we will no longer see fifteen cars within one second, as happened last year,” he explained. “That would be a huge loss for the sport. We have never had such a competitive field as we did last season, and it was something beautiful to watch.”
Are the FIA 2026 regulations really good for F1?
This is a direct reference to a 2025 season that showcased an extremely compact Formula 1 grid, with incredibly close qualifying sessions and often unpredictable results. Bleekemolen does not challenge the principle of innovation itself, but questions whether the changes truly move in the right direction to improve the spectacle.
“I understand that F1 needs to maintain its image as an innovative sport and as a laboratory for the automotive industry. The FIA is also pushing in that direction,” he clarified. “But is this really what makes the sport better? I want to see drivers fighting, running side by side, overtaking under braking. I don’t care how many horsepower the engine produces, I just want good racing, like most fans do.”
According to the former driver, the category continues to walk a fine line between technological progress and pure competition. “It’s the usual tension between innovation on one side and spectacle on the other,” he added.
Looking back at the past, Bleekemolen believes that Formula 1 has lost part of its spontaneity. “Yes, today it has become too artificial,” he stated without hesitation. “There is nothing natural left. Everything is regulated, and that comes at the expense of racing. In my days you could still experiment a bit; today that is no longer possible.”
These words reignite the debate over how well the new regulations will manage to preserve the spirit of direct on-track competition. As always, the final verdict will come only with the stopwatch and with the first races of the new era.
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