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Formula E champion Lucas di Grassi has delivered a scathing indictment of Formula 1's 2026 technical regulations, declaring the new hybrid rules "extremely badly designed". His critique goes beyond simple discontent—it represents a fundamental challenge to the FIA's regulatory philosophy and raises uncomfortable questions about whether motorsport's premier series has lost its way during its transition toward electrification.
Di Grassi's words carry particular weight given his dual perspective as both a former F1 driver and current Formula E champion. Speaking to Motorsport.com, he articulated a distinction that many miss: the issue isn't hybrid technology itself, but how the regulations have been structured. "It's not only the fault of the hybrid system. It's the rules which are decided by the FIA, and some people within the FIA who decided the rules [who are at fault]," he explained, suggesting that fundamental design flaws in the rulebook, rather than the concept of hybridization, have created problems.
The 2026 regulations introduce a dramatically more powerful MGU-K system, accounting for nearly half of a car's total power output. This shift has transformed Formula 1 into what four-time world champion Max Verstappen called "Formula E on steroids"—a pointed reference to the energy management constraints that now dominate race strategy and driver decision-making.
Di Grassi's criticism extends to driver feedback, which he's gathered directly from F1 personnel testing the 2026 package. "I spoke to some people who are driving on the simulator, and the rules are very weird. On some tracks, it creates a lot of problems," he revealed, indicating that the complications extend beyond paddock perception into genuine competitive concerns.
Perhaps most provocatively, di Grassi suggested that Formula E's technical roadmap could fundamentally alter motorsport's hierarchy. With the all-electric championship introducing its 800-horsepower Gen4 car and planning further upgrades for Gen 4.5 and Gen 5, he believes continued battery development will enable Formula E to eclipse F1 in raw performance.
"My point is that Formula E will be the fastest cars in the world in a couple of years," he declared, even suggesting that Formula E cars could be four to five seconds faster at Monaco within future cycles.
This projection isn't mere speculation—it challenges F1's fundamental identity as motorsport's ultimate performance arena.
Di Grassi's intervention amplifies concerns already voiced by elite drivers over the 2026 cars' complexity and reduced racing purity. Whether the FIA will recalibrate these regulations or whether teams will adapt to a fundamentally different racing paradigm remains uncertain.
What's clear is that F1's regulatory framework now faces credibility questions from multiple quarters—a worrying signal as the sport attempts to balance environmental responsibility with competitive excitement.
He’s a software engineer with a deep passion for Formula 1 and motorsport. He co-founded Formula Live Pulse to make live telemetry and race insights accessible, visual, and easy to follow.
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