Stefano Domenicali came out in defense of the new 2026 Formula 1 season regulations. The category’s CEO pointed out that overtaking is not artificial during the races.
Read more F1: Mansell says he has a «romantic» view of Hamilton winning eighth title
The first three stages of the calendar raised a series of debates about the new power units, which are split 50/50 between electric and internal combustion. However, in Australia and Japan one point caught attention: the drivers could not complete a lap without ‘lift and coasting’, or super-clipping, when they are accelerating at maximum, but the car starts to decelerate and charge the battery.
Therefore, these facts, along with allegations of Mario Kart-like artifices, discouraged the drivers, so much so that during the April break, the FIA is holding a series of meetings with the teams for specific adjustments. But Formula 1 CEO Domenicali defended the rules.
Read more F1: Todt reveals how Ferrari hired Schumacher in just one day
“Some people are saying that overtaking is artificial, but what is artificial? I mean, overtaking is overtaking, and people have short memories, because in the turbo era, in the 1980s, I was already following Formula 1 and there were already lift and coast, the use of different turbos and different speeds,” he told Autosport.
“You had to [manage], otherwise the fuel tank was too small. Maybe some older people are criticizing or making comments because they have short memories, since in the 80s, in the turbo era, these things already existed,” he added.
Read more F1: Commentators talk about a «cultural change» at Red Bull after Lambiase’s departure
