Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali says changes will be made to the 2026 rules if energy management ruins the racing, but he does not understand why there is so much “panic” right now.
Early testing of the new 2026 challengers has highlighted that the cars are energy-starved, and that has fuelled concerns of grands prix delivering economy runs rather than exciting battles.
Criticisms have also been voiced about the level of energy management being so high that power and speeds are cut back excessively at some high-speed corners.
Fernando Alonso quipped last week that the challenge had been reduced so much that the team chef could drive the car.
But despite such outspoken remarks from big names inside the paddock, including Max Verstappen, who labelled the rules as “anti-racing”, Domenicali says he has seen nothing to be worried about yet.
“I don't understand what is all the panicking going around,” said Domenicali from the sidelines of this week’s Bahrain test.
“There will be incredible racing, there will be a lot of action, and that's the most important thing.
“And in any case, if something is not as we want, I think the credibility of the sport is we can sit around with the responsible people, that are the technical people and the FIA, to find solutions. So I'm not worried at all.”
No over-reaction
Domenicali says that F1 needs to see how the new rules work in action in the early races before deciding if tweaks need to be made – so it does not end up in a scenario of knee-jerk responses that make things worse.
“In the F1 commission the other day, there has been an open discussion to put on the table possible solutions to address this kind of issue,” he said.
“Therefore, we are going to have a meeting before the start of the season to avoid over-reaction, because it is pretty clear that we need to avoid over-reaction. So that's why I say we need to stay calm.”
But, despite warning against an over-reaction from some early races – especially those at venues where energy management could be a major headache like Melbourne and Jeddah – Domenicali is clear that F1 must act if major problems arise.
“For me what has to be protected, and if this will be not the case we need to intervene, is having great racing, great overtaking opportunity, and a great challenge that you can give to the drivers to show if they are the best,” he said.
“So if these points will not be taken the right way, of course we need to, in a way, intervene and react immediately.”
Driver and fan response
Domenicali is well aware of the criticisms that drivers have thrown at the new regulations – which included Verstappen’s astonishing attack on the 2026 cars last week.
Having spent time speaking to drivers at the Bahrain test, including Verstappen, Domenicali thinks that views are fast changing and that resistance to the rules will quickly fade away as people get used to them.
“Max is incredible, and he has a way of saying something that could be sometimes interpreted in a certain way,” said Domenicali.
“I guarantee to you that Max wants and cares about F1 more than anyone else. He has a way of putting the point that he wants to say in a certain way.
“But we had a very constructive meeting. He will have a very constructive meeting also with the Federation [FIA], to highlight what is his point of view of what he believes needs to be done to keep the driving style at the centre of the approach.”
While the level of energy management and speed drops in high-speed corners triggered by super clipping has drawn criticism from those in the paddock, Domenicali does not think such technical aspects will worry a majority of fans.
“This is why I went out today half an hour to understand the feeling,” he said.
“Of course, the most sophisticated fans will understand the differences in certain situations, but I guarantee that the 99.9% of the fans will not feel that, because it's impossible.
“And therefore I want to be positive in that respect. And, as I said, if something has to be rectified, there will be the time and the consideration that we can do together as a system to react.”
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