As predicted by the independent F1 press before the season opener, the all-new 2026 era is rapidly descending into farce. A huge plunge in viewer numbers following the Japanese Grand Prix makes plain the fans are voting with their feet.
The fundamental architecture of the 50/50 power units was flawed from its inception. As Stefano Domenicali, F1 supremo, admitted in 2025, the resulting regulations were a “political” decision based on attracting more manufacturers into the sport.
Whilst the FIA working party on the next generation of F1 engines was formed in 2017, it was in 2020 that the first mention of the all-new 50/50 power unit was made. As the name suggests, the power contribution from the internal combustion engine would be 50%, as it would be from the battery.
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F1 manufacturers mis-read the future of road cars
A bold new step into greater efficiency and the electrified future was the intention, yet increasing the current electrical output by three times was always going to be ambitious. For many auto manufacturers who did not believe in the coming of the EV revolution, hybrids would be the bulk of the future road cars they produced.
And whilst hybrids have become a transitional technology in the auto industry, they have significant disadvantages compared to either the internal combustion engine or full electric cars. They contain the bulk of both an internal combustion engine along with the weight of a battery and, given the average person is not ‘racing’ their road car, energy recovery from braking is minimal.
Plug-in hybrids, where the drivers can cover much greater distances on the battery, have proven to be the bulk of the hybrid road car market. Yet demand for full electric is surging, with the UK selling more than ever in March 2026. Almost a quarter of all cars were electric, and they were ordered prior to the outbreak of the war in Iran.
So the Mercedes-conceived goal of the 50/50 electric/ICE engine — a non-plug-in hybrid — was dead on arrival. In reality, the all-new F1 power unit is not really a 50/50 engine, given the maximum output of 350kw from the battery is not available for the entirety of a lap.
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Zero increase in auto manufacturers building F1 engines
Such lauded engineering goals are now turning sour, as fans are turning away from Formula One in their droves. The contentious issue of overtaking has resurfaced, with the all-new electrical boost available to the drivers this year creating artificial on-track passes that lack the ‘pure’ racing DNA fans crave.
At the start of the race, the TV director can barely keep up with the overtaking, having to run replay after replay to ensure each has been broadcast. The commercial brains running F1 believed more overtaking would mean more eyeballs on their product and more dollars in the bank. But is this really the case?
Despite the arrival of Audi, who have compensated for the loss of Renault, there are no new auto manufacturers joining the sport. Red Bull had decided to go it alone and build their own 2026 powertrains, and Ford came along late in the day offering finance and some badging.
Cadillac are running Ferrari engines and will probably never build one of the current breed of F1 hybrids. The earliest we could see an F1 powertrain debut from the US road car brand is 2029, but with the next generation of F1 engines expected in 2030/31, not even Cadillac will spend 90 million a year designing and building a power unit that will compete in a handful of races.
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F1 losing half its viewers
Despite warnings from engineers and F1 prophet Christian Horner that these 50/50 split engines would be a disaster, the FIA, under the influence of Audi and Mercedes, would persist.
As is the case with most season openers in Formula One, the viewing figures in Europe and even China were on a par with those of 2025. Yet after the predictable Mercedes processions reminiscent of 2014, the heartland base for fans in Europe appeared to collapse.
DAZN, the Spanish broadcaster, saw a fall of a massive 49% for the Japanese Grand Prix when compared to 2025. Even with both Spanish drivers struggling at the back of the field, this is no explanation for the dramatic collapse in the Spanish audience.
France Canal+ had just 404,000 people tune in to the Suzuka race, a 43% drop year on year. Viewing numbers in Austria fell 36% and in Germany, where the fan base has been at a modern era low, fell 21%.
Disconsolate fans ditching their F1 pay-per-view
The one European nation bucking the trend was Italy; their number of viewers boomed — up by 36%. Yet with Kimi Antonelli entering the weekend as the first Italian contender for a championship since Michele Alboreto in 1985, this is somewhat unsurprising.
F1 race attendance is unlikely to be much affected during the early part of the 2026 season, given tickets must be purchased several months in advance. Interestingly, resale tickets available this season are reportedly 6% higher than last year according to GPDestinations.com, potentially a sign that fans are disillusioned and no longer wish to go to a race.
Today and tomorrow, the FIA and all the major F1 stakeholders have a series of meetings scheduled to sort out the problems with the 2026 regulations. Qualifying needs to return to becoming a flat-out session for the drivers and theirdramatic closing speeds in the race must also be addressed.
The root of the problem is in the 50/50 split of electrical power and that from the internal combustion engine, yet F1 is fiddling with ideas which do not address this crucial issue. One fan posted on social media, “I’m glad I did not renew my F1§TV subscription for 2026.”
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Cars deciding to overtake – MUST STOP
In a similar vein, another, having saved hundreds of euros, stated: “Instead, I’m driving to the Nürburgring this weekend to watch Max drive balls out, rather than mushroom hunting.” Another reflected on previous F1 failures: “In the history of F1, car manufacturers have always been opportunistic at best. It was never a good idea to let them dictate a new ruleset.”
The fans are in open revolt over the farcical nature of the racing presented by F1, best illuminated by world champion Lando Norris after the Japanese Grand Prix. Explaining certain autonomous features of the new F1 cars, Norris despaired: “I didn’t even want to overtake Lewis, it’s just about when the battery deploys, and I don’t want it to deploy, but I can’t control it.”
Having grown exponentially in terms of viewers in recent years, F1 faces its most significant existential crisis since Liberty Media assumed the commercial helm of the sport.
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Stefano Domenicali has spent much of early 2026 playing “chief optimist” for Formula 1, frequently urging fans and drivers to “stay calm” and “not panic” despite the visible struggles on track. Yet Cadillac’s CEO now hints there may be huge changes coming sooner than people think.
While Audi is getting swamped at every start and drivers are complaining about “clipping” (losing power) at the end of straights, Domenicali’s public stance has been one of unwavering confidence—at least on the surface.
The F1 supremo has repeatedly pushed back against the “anxiety” in the paddock. Before the season opener in Australia, he told reporters: “I don’t feel this anxiety. We need to stay calm because whenever there is a new regulation, there is always the doubt that everything is wrong… I don’t understand what all this panicking is about.”
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Is anyone surprised? I’m certainly not … and we’ve been watching for more than sixty years here!
How does Audi get to make any demands? Totally ridiculous.
Hmm, statistics are a malleable tool. I’d say the Spanish drivers being at the back of the field this season was a very reasonable explanation for a decrease in viewing figures on Spanish TV (though not necessarily the sole one). What are the figures for SkyF1? Suggesting F1 viewing figures are halved makes an attention grabbing headline, but is mathmatically dodgy unless you get the worldwide viewing figures from all sources and it actually is 50% down in total. Otherwise it’s pretty tabloid stuff to extrapolate that from one provider.
Quoting random anonymous fan comments sourced from who knows where to support your opinion is a poor excuse for journalism.
I think a 50% drop in viewers for a race year on year any European F1 heartland country is astonishing. Plus Sainz and Alonso were not exactly challenging for more than scraps last season. So little change there. Sky F1 figures have not yet been reported interestingly – maybe there is a reason.
Not seeing anyone here praise the new F1 regulations – or on most F1 sites. It’s pretty fair comment and does’t claim to be some global survey of fan opinion.
sorry to say but both Horner and Verstappen were correct about these engines, and that was way back in 2023
And Toto Wolff mocked Horner, claiming he was ‘moaning’ because the RBPT programme was way behind schedule
sub cancelled, have been a fan since 1985.
Luckily, AppleTV had a trial. I’m a fan since 1987 and can seamlessly tune out while having not paid a cent towards this horseshit.
Its interesting the viewing figures are not as available for many countries as was the case last season at this point in the year
My F1TV sub wont be renewed in June. Apple definitely not getting my money. Absolutely horrible. I normally wake up at 4am to watch FP1, 2, 3. Now I dont care. FIA and Liberty have screwed the pooch. Manufacturers getting in line with weird woke politics and narrative have ruined greatest sport we have. Really sad.