The changes to the Formula 1 technical regulations for 2026, introduced at the Miami GP, have not yet significantly resolved the power unit issues, according to the assessment of the top three finishers in the race. During the press conference, Oscar Piastri, Kimi Antonelli, and Lando Norris agreed that there were only minor improvements, especially in qualifying, while difficulties in races remain.
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Piastri stated that the reduction in the energy recovery limit helped partially in qualifying. “I think reducing the harvest limit [energy recovery] in qualifying helped a bit,” he said. “It didn’t solve the problem or all the problems, but it is helping with one of them.”
On the other hand, he highlighted that the battles remain problematic. “The races are basically exactly the same… It’s pretty crazy, to be honest,” he said, citing the high approach speeds as a factor that makes both attacking and defending difficult. “All the approach speeds are huge and trying to anticipate that as a defending driver is incredibly difficult.”
The Australian also considered that, despite the collaboration between FIA (International Automobile Federation) and Formula 1, new changes will be necessary. “On that side, not much has changed… The big question is how quickly we can make them.”
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Antonelli reinforced the same view, describing the package as “a small step in the right direction,” but warning of risks in races. “In the race, the speed remains very close… You also need to trust the driver who is defending,” he commented.
Norris was more direct in assessing that the scenario is still far from ideal. “It’s a small step in the right direction, but it’s still not at the level Formula 1 should be,” he said. He also criticized the fact that drivers are still penalized when trying to run with the throttle fully open and suggested a radical solution: “Honestly, I don’t think this can be fixed. You just have to get rid of the battery.”
The changes were designed to reduce “superclipping” and improve overtaking, but initial feedback indicates that the goals have not yet been fully achieved and that further adjustments will be necessary.
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