The arrival of the new Formula 1 technical regulations in 2026 may have represented an extra challenge for elite drivers like Max Verstappen. This is the assessment of Franz Tost, the former boss of the Dutchman in his debut season in the category, who believes that the planned changes tend to reduce some of the characteristics that traditionally differentiate the best competitors on the grid.
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According to Tost, the power split of the new generation of power units, with 50% coming from the combustion engine and 50% from the electric part, was already seen previously as a factor capable of generating difficulties. For him, this concept ends up harming precisely the most talented drivers in Formula 1.
“The fact that there is a 50% split for the combustion engine and 50% for the electric part already indicated that some problems would arise,” said the Austrian on the podcast ’15 Love – der Business Podcast’. “For exceptionally talented drivers, however, the new regulations represent a disadvantage.”
Tost stated that the current rules change the way drivers approach corners, reducing opportunities to exploit skills that usually make a difference on the track. In the former manager’s view, late braking and corner entry speed have always been important weapons of the category’s top names.
“With the current regulations, you no longer brake at the last moment,” he commented. He cited Verstappen, Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, and Fernando Alonso as examples of drivers who normally extract performance precisely from braking, speed up to the apex of the corner, and acceleration on exit.
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For Tost, when cars require driving more based on rolling through corners, this natural advantage ends up diminishing: “If you simply carry speed through the corner, they lose their advantage in this aspect. Therefore, naturally, they are not very positive about the regulations at this moment,” he said.
Despite the criticism, the Austrian believes that those responsible for the category are attentive to the concerns raised by teams and drivers. He recalled that some changes have already been implemented after questions about the regulations, and expects further interventions throughout the season.
“FOM and FIA know all this and are aware of the problems. Some issues have already been resolved for Miami, and I believe other changes will still be implemented during the rest of the season,” he added.
Tost, however, highlighted that any discussion about adjustments also involves political interests within Formula 1. According to him, teams in a favorable position will hardly support significant changes: “Now politics comes into play again, because Mercedes is in the lead and will not easily agree to possible changes. We will see how all this will be resolved,” concluded the former team boss.
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