After the 2026 season opener in Melbourne last weekend, Formula 1 has been facing criticism from fans, who claim to have had their opinions on the new 2026 rules censored on the category’s official social media. The point of friction began with a shared video of Franco Colapinto’s top speed, in which a ‘community note’ was added to contextualize ‘super clipping’ issues in the cars of the new era of regulations.
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Although F1 has removed offensive replies, several fans claim that genuine comments were also hidden. One of them commented: “The slowing down on the straight ruined my experience”, considered legitimate by other fans, but which was also hidden. Another wrote: “The overtakes were the worst… no real racing, the cars just pass due to technical energy differences”.
Additionally, criticism was directed at Formula 1’s post about the high number of overtakes in Melbourne, 120, compared to 45 in the same GP last year in rainy conditions. Despite the official content highlighting the evolution of the spectacle, several fans claim that comments questioning the quality of the battles were also filtered and omitted.
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The episode adds to a greater dissatisfaction with the GP coverage by Apple TV, which debuted as the official broadcaster of Formula 1, receiving criticism from fans regarding the interface and streaming quality, comparing the experience to the introduction of the new power units, which also did not please many drivers.
The controversy reignites the debate about F1’s relationship with the fan community and transparency in digital communication, especially in a season marked by significant technical changes.
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