F1 drivers share CONCERNS for 2026 F1 regulations!

What came out of the Bahrain testing press conference

The testing paddock in Bahrain delivered a rare dose of candour. Drivers openly admitted they have concerns about how the 2026 regulations are shaping car behaviour and race dynamics. At the centre of the discussion were overtaking difficulties, battery management quirks and the altered aero behaviour of the new, lighter cars.

Overtaking: a practical problem, not just theory

Several drivers flagged overtaking as an immediate worry. One of the more blunt assessments was that passing could become “near on impossible” in certain circumstances. That bluntness was backed up by real-world footage of a driver attempting a pass and running out of deployable power mid manoeuvre.

Two technical factors make this a practical problem:

• Battery deployment and management — Drivers rely on stored electrical energy for short power boosts. If that energy is exhausted during a pass, the move stalls. Teams will need to balance energy allocation between single-lap performance and overtaking windows.
• Aero wash and dependency — The new shapes and aero rules have changed how dirty air behaves behind a car. That affects how much downforce a chasing car can keep when tucked in, which in turn influences overtaking opportunities.

Aero changes: more than just new wings

One of the striking observations from testing was the way cars now use multiple devices to alter drag and downforce when braking. Rear wings open during braking as expected, but some teams have also made the front wing move noticeably. The combined effect gives engineers two independent ways to increase aerodynamic drag at different phases of a lap.

Ferrari experimented with an unusual rotating rear wing. While visual details are limited here, the broader point is clear: teams are getting creative within the new regulations. Not all systems operate the same way across garages — some rear wings fold down, others pop up — and rim designs are no longer standardised, opening another development front.

Battery management and race strategy

When a pass depends on a finite electronic boost, racecraft becomes partly about energy bookkeeping. Teams will now have to decide when to use battery charge for qualifying-like laps and when to reserve it for overtakes or defensive responses.

The regulation body and teams are talking. The FIA is reportedly open to reviewing some of the operational restrictions early in the season to avoid a spectacle where drivers are boxed in because their cars cannot deploy energy at critical moments.

How testing times reflect the change in pace

Across the board, the new cars are slower in testing compared with the current generation — roughly 3 seconds per lap in similar testing conditions. That slowdown is not necessarily alarming by itself: these are new rules, new setups and different tyre and rim combinations. However, lap time is only one metric; raceability and overtaking are where fans will judge success.

Fast times in testing rarely translate directly into race form. Last season’s quickest test lap did not guarantee a strong start to the year for the team behind it. Expect a lot of movement between testing form and race pace as teams refine systems and operational strategies.

Bahrain mornings, fog and operational safety

Testing days weren’t without environmental quirks. A dense fog rolled through one morning and lifted quickly. That kind of visibility issue can cancel track running because the medical helicopter must be able to fly in case of an incident. This is a reminder that even perfect engineering can be sidelined by weather and safety protocols.

Garage life: little observations with big meaning

Small details often tell bigger stories. A persistent skid mark in one garage resisted removal for days — an oddity but a peek into the human side of testing: real people, real problems, and the kinds of things that don’t make the headline.

More important was the visible rise in female engineers and technicians in a number of garages. Roles ranged from reliability engineers to systems engineers and car build technicians stepping up as number one mechanics during testing. That shift is a positive sign for the sport’s technical diversity.

Support teams: the 22 trainers keeping drivers sharp

Behind each driver is a trainer or physiotherapist who is the last person they see before getting in the car and the first when they return to the garage. This season introduced several new faces in those roles, which matters because physical and mental preparation is a cornerstone of consistent performance over a 24-race calendar.

• Borja Presol with Carlos Sainz
• Arvid Lindblad with Sam Village
• Paul Harris working with Valtteri Bottas
• Several other familiar and new names continuing across the grid

Looking toward Melbourne and the opening races

The first race of the season is only a few weeks away. If key operational issues are not addressed, the spectacle in Melbourne could look very different from what fans expect. The FIA and teams have the capacity to adjust operational parameters quickly; early-season flexibility will be important to protect overtaking and on-track action.

Meanwhile, drivers are enjoying the smaller, lighter cars and the different handling characteristics they bring. That optimism sits beside a pragmatic recognition that some regulation tweaks may be needed to preserve close racing.

What this means for fans and teams

Expect an iterative opening to the 2026 season. Teams will collect data at each race weekend, engineers will push rapid updates, and the governing body will be watching how rules play out in practice.

For fans, the important metrics are clear: will cars race closely without artificial intervention, and will overtakes happen because of skill and strategy rather than regulatory quirks? That balance is what will define whether these regulations are a long-term success.

Will overtaking really become almost impossible with the 2026 cars?

Not necessarily impossible, but more difficult in certain situations. Two main factors contribute: how much downforce is lost when following another car and how teams manage battery deployment for short bursts of power. Both issues are being monitored and may be adjusted early in the season.

Are the new cars slower than the previous generation?

In testing, lap times were about 3 seconds slower compared with the older generation under similar conditions. Slower laps do not automatically mean less exciting racing; raceability, tyre behaviour and energy strategies are equally important.

Will the FIA change the regulations after the first races?

The FIA has shown willingness to be open-minded, especially if early race evidence suggests the regulations are harming close racing. Expect discussions between teams and the FIA during the season opener and potential tweaks if necessary.

Is driver retention or movement a concern under the new rules?

Most top drivers have committed to their teams for now. One high-profile driver confirmed continued loyalty to his team and the sport, though seeing drivers participate in extra motorsport events to maintain competitive interest is likely.