Pierre Gasly called for less criticism of the new 2026 Formula 1 rules, stating that there is ‘too much negativity’ surrounding the drivers’ ability to make a difference. The Alpine driver acknowledged that changes are necessary, but highlighted that driver talent remains a determining factor in racing.
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The debate gained momentum after an accident at the Japanese GP involving Oliver Bearman (Haas) and Franco Colapinto (Alpine), which raised new doubts about battery energy management. The incident intensified criticism of the regulations, which had already been questioned by several drivers on the grid.
Among the most outspoken critics is Max Verstappen, Gasly’s former teammate at Red Bull Racing, who compared current Formula 1 to the video game ‘Mario Kart’ and also to ‘Formula E on steroids’. Despite this, Gasly took a more cautious stance and advocated for a more balanced analysis of the situation.
Speaking after the race in Suzuka, the French driver stated that the current scenario has been treated with excessive pessimism: “I think, honestly, there’s a bit too much negativity around it and I don’t like it. I really think we still get a lot out of the drivers. When you’re driving in sector 1 and you have a certain level of grip, it doesn’t really matter. The battery and all those things, you still need to be at the limit of the grip you get,” the Frenchman stated.
Gasly, however, acknowledged that there are legitimate concerns among drivers, especially regarding energy management. According to him, there is a common understanding among competitors about the need for adjustments to improve the spectacle.
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“I definitely agree with what the others are feeling, the battery management and everything. I think we all agree. We all see the same things. We all speak the same language. We all want the sport to be as good as possible. I’m sure we’ll do our best,” he added.
The Frenchman also highlighted that the Formula 1 break in April could be an important opportunity to review the rules. For him, this period will allow teams and officials to evaluate possible improvements to the regulations.
“It’s a time for review. I’m sure that during this break, everyone will take the opportunity to try and put Formula 1 in better shape,” Gasly concluded, indicating confidence in adjustments that could reduce criticism of the 2026 regulations.
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