Formula 1 may have to postpone the introduction of changes to the new rules, as has been widely discussed in meetings taking place this month, according to Alan Permane, head of the Racing Bulls team.
Read more F1: Wolff warns about undue advantage with ADUO
An important meeting is taking place this Monday (20), between the FIA, teams and F1 organization, to determine if changes will be applied to the current rules, and what kind of changes these would be.
Several drivers have expressed concern about the dangers caused by speed differences in the approach between cars, as illustrated by Oliver Bearman’s Haas accident at Suzuka. Many have also warned that the challenge in qualifying sessions has decreased, because cars are forced to reduce speed before high-speed corners. The quality of racing remains a controversial topic, with some approving the number of overtakes and others criticizing what they call ‘yo-yo racing’, as an overtaken car soon regains its position as soon as energy recovery is complete.
The result of today’s meeting will be submitted to an electronic vote by the World Motor Sport Council for possible implementation in F1. But Permane pointed out that the category will have few opportunities to evaluate them in free practice, as the next two rounds of the championship, in Miami and Canada, are Sprint format weekends, where only one free practice session is held during the weekend.
Permane suggested that the planned changes for F1 may have to be implemented over several stages: “Many suggestions have been presented,” he told Racer. “I think we will have a particularly difficult time with Miami being a Sprint format race, because there is very little time to test anything.”
The Bahrain and Saudi Arabian GPs, which were supposed to be held in April, were canceled due to the war in the Middle East, and would have been regular races with three free practice sessions instead of the single session used in Sprint race weekends. Formula 1 has not scheduled substitute GPs or additional track time before its return to racing in Miami.
Read more F1: Steiner sees equality between Antonelli and Russell in Mercedes
“It is quite possible that we will test some of the changes that are, let’s say, a little simpler and less risky in Miami, and then others in Montreal, and then of course, we go to Monaco, where it is almost impossible to test anything. Barcelona may be the first time we test some of the more, shall we say, challenging changes,” said Permane.
Some F1 drivers have been quite vocal about the safety issue after Bearman’s accident. FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said these drivers ‘provided invaluable contributions’ to the discussions.
“Constructive and collaborative discussions took place between the FIA and Formula 1 drivers ahead of tomorrow’s meeting of CEOs and team principals, to discuss possible changes to the 2026 regulations,” Ben Sulayem said in a social media post on Sunday. “The drivers provided valuable input on the adjustments they deem necessary, particularly in the areas of energy management to ensure safe, fair and competitive racing,” he added.
“The FIA has also held a series of meetings in recent weeks with technical representatives from the teams, power unit manufacturers and FOM to discuss the proposed changes. The safety and best interests of the sport are the main focus of these discussions,” concluded the FIA president.
