Following the 2026 Formula One season opener in Melbourne, Australia, most of the drivers were highly critical of the sports new focus on energy management and deployment. The long awaited redesigned powertrains – which were initially due in 2021 – were a potential headache for F1 given certain manufacturers insistence on persisting with an upgraded hybrid architecture.
The electric al energy would be increased threefold from its predecessors and deliver 50% of the power output along with the internal combustion engine. The writing was on the wall back in the summer of 2023 when early Red Bull Racing simulations of the new powertrains were described by then team boss Christian Horner as “Frankenstein monsters.”
Now it has been proven to be the case that firstly, the drivers cannot drive flat out for a complete qualifying lap, something which is an anathema to most fans of the sport along with the drivers. Secondly, cars are running out of electrical charge before the end of the straights and the spectacle of them slowing when they should be at maximum power is bizarre.
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Other issues include the immediate effect of the electrical boost kicking in so severely that the drivers are being caught out by this power surge which saw Oscar Piastri crash on the way to the grid at his home race in Melbourne. Further, when a car runs dry of its electrical power, its slows significantly creating dangerous closing speeds wit a car behind which is using its boost.
Finally, the number of overtakes being made in the early laps of the race is mesmerising, such that the TV director can’t keep up with all the action. The complex graphics which show the viewer how much battery each driver has, when they are deploying energy and when they are harvesting is also rarely on display to help the fans understand what is going on.
Whilst not exhaustive, these were the primary concerns expressed by the drivers following the Australian Grand Prix. Only the Mercedes duo who roamed away from the field in qualifying and the race on Sunday were not highly critical of how the new formula is playing out. George Russell who claimed pole position and the win said he was feeling “incredible” after a “hell of a fight” early on with Charles Leclerc. He admitted the new cars are “not easy to drive” but found them much more agile and “fun” than the previous generation.
Mercedes young driver Kimi Antonelli claimed his maiden F1 podium at the start of his second season in the sport. He described his P2 as “very special” but “stressful,” particularly after a heavy crash in practice.
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Charles leclerc highlighted the problems with the sudden loss of electrical power when trying to defend a position stating it was “very tricky” because he didn’t know when the engine would cut out.
Lewis Hamilton too expressed his dislike for having to ‘lift and coast to such to recharge the battery when he should be racing flat out. He also questioned whether the fans “would understand it.” Max Verstappen was scathing in his assessment of the new Formula One, labelling it as “Formula E on steroids” and said he was “not having fun at all” revealing he had “no emotion” in the cockpit.
Defending champion Lando Norris described the new power units as “the worst” in F1 history and described the racing as “very artificial” and Sergio Perez returning after a year out of the sport likened the new boost modes to “playing Mario Kart.” All in all the consensus was clear from the drivers, F1 had messed up big style by submitting to the manufacturers demands, in particular Audi and Honda.
Following the Chinese F1 weekend, opinion is now divided amongst the drivers with the likes of Lewis Hamilton doing a U-Turn in similar spectacular fashion to the UK’s Labour government. known for expressing day to day polar views depending on how he feels. The seven times champion was exuberant post the Chines GP stating it was “the best racing I’ve ever experienced in Formula 1.”
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Of course claiming his first podium for Ferrari after 26 race weekends might have been something to do with it. Hamilton has the dubious record of being the Ferrari driver who failed to make the podium for the longest time after joining the team – in the entire history of the team.
Yet Max Verstappen’s vociferous attacks on F1’s new rules became louder. When asked in China whether the racing had improved since Melbourne, Verstappen again lambasted the changes made.
“It’s still terrible,” he said. “I don’t know, if someone likes this, then you really don’t know what racing is about. It’s not fun at all. It’s playing Mario Kart. This is not racing.”
Max went on to identify the artificial nature of the supposed improved overtaking. “Look at the racing… you are boosting past, then you run out of battery the next straight. They boost past you again. For me, it’s just a joke,” concluded the quadruple world champion.
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Carlos Sainz accuses F1 of manipulating the fans
Previously silent on the new formula racing, Williams driver Carlos Sainz has now spoken out suggesting those in charge are attempting to talk up a broken product. This was after fans had noticed the TV graphics were being manipulated by somebody at F1 TV.
The information failed to display the cars “super clipping” when their engines lose a huge amount of power and slow significantly. The Spaniard argues this deceit by F1 organisers is in fact proof they know the new rules are a failure.
“And I’m also quite sure that the people at the top also see that and know that,” he stated. “When you look at what they are doing with graphics and everything, they are trying to do their best to sell something that I think we all know is not the right formula for Formula 1. So, I’m really hoping that there’s going to be changes soon, because it’s not the best formula.”
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Sainz went on to explain in China the issues were not as bad as they were in Melbourne and will be again in Austria, Canada and Monza. “I think in a track like China they are not that bad, because we are very energy-rich and harvesting-rich, which means the engines behave very differently to last year, but not as different as they did in Melbourne,” Sainz continued. He hopes the sport will sit up and take notice of the views of its drivers, concluding “I’m also 100% sure this is not F1 the way I want to see it. I have in mind what the ideal Formula 1 should be, and this is very far from it.”
Over the decades Formula One has had its fair share of controversy, high drama, blatant cheating exposed and tragedy. Yet the response from the drivers to the new kind of racing, while not unanimous, is truly exceptional. Rarely before have the leaders of F1 been so heavily criticised, with maybe the exception of F1 driver boycotts in the 1970’s due to unsafe circuits and the regular death of their compatriots.
The response from FOM and the FIA has been they will continue to hold discussions with all F1 stakeholders, but have no plans to make any modifications prior to round three in Japan in just over a weeks time.
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NEXT ARTICLE – Ferrari F1 halo winglets: Legal or not? Why they disappeared for the Chinese GP
The nickname for the rear wing was coined by Scuderia boss Fred Vasseur during pre-season testing because its distinct rotating motion reminded him of the 1990’a dance moves. It is an extreme interpretation of Formula One ’s new 2026 active aerodynamic regulations and whilst most teams used a flag which opens in similar fashion to the old DRS, the Macarena wing flips upside down when in ‘straight line mode (SLM).
Ferrari did not utilise their new rear wing design in Australia, but it appeared once again on the car the following weekend in Shanghai. However, it was removed from both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc’s cars after the Friday practice session due to concerns over its potential durability….. CONTINUE READING
With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
A.J. Hunt is Senior Editor at TJ13, where Andrew oversees editorial standards and contributes to the site’s Formula 1 coverage. A career journalist with experience in both print and digital sports media, Andrew trained in investigative journalism and has written for a range of European sports outlets.
At TJ13, Andrew plays a central role in shaping the site’s output, working across breaking news, analysis, and long-form features. Andrew’s responsibilities include fact-checking, refining editorial structure, and ensuring consistency in reporting across a fast-moving news cycle.
Andrew’s work focuses particularly on the intersection of Formula 1 politics, regulation, and team strategy. Andrew closely follows developments involving the FIA, team leadership, and driver market dynamics, helping to provide context behind the sport’s biggest stories.
With experience covering multiple seasons of Formula 1’s modern hybrid era, Andrew has developed a detailed understanding of how regulatory changes and competitive shifts influence the grid. Andrew’s editorial approach prioritises clarity and context, aiming to help readers navigate complex developments within the sport.
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