David Coulthard described the start of the new 2026 Formula 1 technical regulations as disappointing. For the former driver, the problems seen in the first races had already been anticipated by drivers and engineers before the rules’ debut.
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The Australian GP marked the first competitive application of the new package, with battery management and energy distribution taking center stage. The near 50% split between electric power and combustion engine caused some cars to lose speed on the straights when the available energy ran out, creating scenes that surprised part of the audience.
“The new rules were a bit like the World Cup halftime show. It was disappointing, considering it was coming at us like a steamroller,” Coulthard said on the Up to Speed podcast. According to him, the warnings existed but did not receive the necessary attention before the start of the championship.
“Drivers and engineers were saying: ‘This is not going to be good.’ There was practically silence from everyone else. Then we got to Melbourne and realized the cars were slowing down approaching certain corners,” he explained.
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The FIA made urgent changes before the Miami GP to reduce problems related to energy delivery, excessive speed loss, and the so-called accordion effect in battles. New changes are also scheduled for 2028. Coulthard acknowledged that the response improved competition but questioned why the simulation tools available in F1 did not prevent the failures from appearing so clearly on track.
“I have to say the recovery, from Miami onwards, was good. The fact that we have had five different winners in the last five GPs shows a varied season,” he assessed. “But we saw this coming and it seemed like no one was listening. Having to react to reality in a sport that intensely simulates the future was disappointing.”
Despite the criticism of the initial process, Coulthard praised the quick reaction after the opening in Melbourne. For him, the measures taken between Australia and Miami helped restore competitiveness and unpredictability, although the problems could have been addressed during the rules development.
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