FIA ready to tweak 2026 rules at some point after facing drivers backlash

The 2026 Formula 1 season has barely begun, yet the sport's newest regulatory framework is already under intense scrutiny. Following the inaugural on-track activities of the season, the driver community has demonstrated sharply divided opinions on the new machinery. While Lando Norris and George Russell have embraced the fresh regulations with optimistic assessments, a larger contingent led by Max Verstappen, Fernando Alonso, and Lewis Hamilton has voiced substantive criticisms.

The FIA's measured response

"The cars are new," Tombazis noted, acknowledging that simulator work during late 2025 had generated substantial concerns, though comments from the Bahrain test proved "certainly more favorable."

The crucial caveat: the FIA is adamant about avoiding an overreaction. F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali urged the sport to "stay calm" and resist panic, emphasizing that new regulations naturally invite uncertainty. The governing body wants to wait until after the opening races before proposing specific modifications, though preliminary refinements were already agreed upon at the F1 Commission meeting on February 18.

Energy management: the central problem

Energy deployment has emerged as the primary pain point. Drivers have expressed concerns about being "energy poor" on straights, limiting overtaking opportunities and constraining the racing spectacle.

The FIA is exploring potential adjustments to permit greater energy recovery per lap, which would consequently allow more energy deployment during race scenarios. Tombazis revealed that these modifications would primarily involve software adjustments rather than hardware changes—refinements to how power units operate rather than fundamental system alterations. This approach minimizes disruption while addressing core complaints about the current energy balance.

Timeline and governance

The critical question remains: how rapidly could adjustments materialize? Tombazis provided a measured timeline: changes are "unlikely" between Australia and China, but implementation would not stretch "months and months." The FIA must navigate governance processes while conducting genuine on-track assessments during competitive racing—a dynamic significantly different from testing conditions.

Tombazis emphasized that approximately 90% of the regulatory framework already functions satisfactorily, positioning potential adjustments as refinements rather than comprehensive overhauls. The FIA's five-year perspective acknowledges this inaugural season as merely the beginning of F1's hybrid-focused journey.

The verdict remains forthcoming, but the FIA's openness to dialogue suggests the sport's governing body is determined to protect competitive racing while remaining faithful to its sustainability objectives.