The FIA anticipates changes in F1 races
After the first technical meeting, the entity that regulates the World Cup indicated that there were constructive dialogues and that modifications will be made to the rules.
The new technical regulations released by Formula 1 this season brought with it a trail of controversies and the displeasure of several drivers, with Max Verstappen like the great standard bearer. The Dutchman described the cars of the brand new generation as “Formula E on steroids”, “anti-racing regulations” and “Mario Kart”, with its power unit in which the care and management of the electric motor battery predominates. The basic change to the way of driving that the drivers had to make (for example, it is useful for us to look for the limit in the curves because we have to regenerate energy) was heard by the authorities of Liberty Media (owner of the commercial rights) and the FIA, but they were not averse to major modifications. Until the climax arrived: Oliver Bearman’s very serious accident in Japan.
On the straight that leads to the famous Cuchara curve in Suzuka, the Englishman was traveling at a speed of about 60 km/h higher than that of Franco Colapinto. The reason? The Argentine and the English were in different phases of energy management. While the Alpine’s Mercedes power unit was recharging, the Haas’ Ferrari was at full throttle. Thus, Bearman had to perform a dodging maneuver with the ex-Williams, stepped on the step and traveled directly to the containment barriers, in a 50G impact. The image of Ollie limping made the skin of the category’s priests crawl. The fear of ending up with someone hurt was great and they decided to look into the regulations to see what could be changed.
What happened to Bearman did not surprise the pilots; in fact, many had warned it. “The question is not if a big accident is going to happen, the issue is when,” Checo Pérez had said. That difference in speed between two cars is one of the danger factors. That the pilots must take their foot off the accelerator before the end of the straights to take care of the battery charge and super clipping (taking the engine to high revolutions in the curves, but not bringing the power to the axles, but rather to recharge the battery) opens the door to possible incidents.
This Thursday, The FIA technical team met with members of the teams, power unit builders and F1 people in the first information meeting in which different alternatives to modify the regulations were put on the table.. The forced stoppage of the World Cup after the cancellations of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia due to the war in the Middle East provided a period of time to carry out analysis and find answers.
After the meeting, the FIA issued a statement in which it assured: “It was agreed that, while the races held so far have provided a great spectacle, some changes to the regulations relating to energy management are necessary. Dialogue on complex issues was constructive, especially considering the competitiveness of the parties involved. “Earlier in the year, all parties had agreed that this series of meetings would take place after the first three races of the season, a schedule designed to allow sufficient technical data to be collected prior to any discussions.”
After the meeting, an agenda of new meetings was agreed before arriving at the Miami GP on the first weekend of May, which will mark the return of activity. On the next 15th they will meet to analyze the sports regulations that would give way to technical changes from mid-season. A day later they will meet again to discuss the topics analyzed in this Thursday’s talk. Finally, on the 20th there will be “a high-level meeting with representation of all interested parties,” as confirmed by the FIA.
“The 2026 regulations were developed and agreed in close collaboration with the teams, original equipment manufacturers, power unit manufacturers, the commercial rights holder and the FIA, all of whom were present at the negotiating table.. It is with this spirit of collaboration that possible changes are being debated,” concluded the entity chaired by Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
