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FIA to meet with teams this week

NEWS STORY
08/04/2026

The FIA is to meet with teams and engine manufacturers on Thursday (April 9) to discuss the 2026 regulations.

Uppermost, according to some, is safety, while restoring qualifying as a race weekend highlight, is another major factor up for discussion.

For the most part, the teams have taken a laissez-faire approach thus far, any criticism of the rules limited to the fact that drivers are no longer going flat-out in qualifying, especially Q3, though Oliver Bearman's crash at Suzuka put safety firmly on the agenda.

For the most part the drivers have been critical from the outset, certainly those that don't drive for Ferrari or Mercedes, but over the Suzuka weekend even the Maranello pair admitted to being uneasy with F1 2026.

While George Russell, one of two directors of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association - the so-called drivers' union - has remained silent, fellow director, Carlos Sainz, has been among the most critical of the rules overhaul.

Indeed, GPDA Chairman, Alex Wurz, has revealed that the drivers' WhatsApp group is a frenzy of activity.

"It's absolutely blowing up right now," he said of the group he set up in 2015. "I've never seen it this active, honestly. There's so much flying around in there, emotions, potential solutions, technical ideas, and discussions on how to make sure everyone understands that drivers need to be heard."

Make no mistake, it's not just Max Verstappen, who despite warning of many of the issues now being faced, long before the cars actually took to the track, has been advised by Martin Brundle to effectively 'shut up or quit', we're talking Sainz, Lando Norris, Fernando Alonso... many of whom have been critical since the start of the season.

The Berman crash had already been predicted in terms of closing speeds, but now we have the likes of Norris admitting that, under the new energy management protocols, he has "accidentally" overtaken another driver.

The 2025 world champion has also highlighted the yo-yoing which sees a driver overtake a rival only to be re-passed moments later, while F1, the FIA and teams proudly declare this to be an increase in overtaking, and thereby proof of the success of the new rules, the drivers - and fans - see it as fake.

Both the FIA and F1 have been MIA up to now, Stefano Domenicali's insistence of "not to panic" a distant memory, while even Nikolas Tombazis appears to have been struck dumb.

Neither F1 or the FIA wants to admit to having made a mistake, while at the same time neither wants to upset the engine manufacturers it worked so hard to woo.

However, something must be done. The sport is already facing the loss of revenue from two cancelled races, while TV viewing numbers are dropping as fans cancel their subscriptions.

The likes of Toto Wollf and Laurent Mekies continue to insist that the sport focuses on Q3 and how it can once again be a question of who goes fastest, however there are other factors that must be addressed, not least closing speeds and the yo-yoing.

There is no quick fix, but talk of concentrating on safety and Q3 and leaving the rest until 2027 isn't good enough.

Those using social media to call for a return to V10s are wasting their time, even under Jean Todt it was made clear that this is not going to happen. It appears the V6 is here to stay.

However, in the short term the focus is likely to be on limiting "super-cliping", and revising the use active aero.

Top of the list however, has to be scrapping the 50/50 ICE/Electrics, limiting where energy is recovered - no more lift and coast on fast straights - indeed revising the whole energy management system so that the driver is once again in control and making the decisions not the boffins.

This is a critical time for the sport, and if nothing else, based on the evidence of the first three races, and the reactions of F1's powers-that-be, this is an opportunity for all involved to not only show that they are listening but that they care.

And when we say "all involved" that must mean the drivers, those at the 'coal face', those actually driving the cars, taking the risks, and, in terms of the way the sport is now being promoted to its new generation of fans, the superstars.

As F1 continues to push the likes of Leclerc, Hamilton, Russell and Norris as though they are pop stars, surely they should have a voice.

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READERS COMMENTS

 

1. Posted by ffracer, 07/04/2026 8:14

"Amen. This paragraph sums up the current critical issue that is stymieing any progress:

'Neither F1 or the FIA wants to admit to having made a mistake, while at the same time neither wants to upset the engine manufacturers it worked so hard to woo.'

The current engine harvesting spec is a joke that has now exposed a lethal element to it. The drivers and fans are so done with it so please stup up Martin Brundle, you are lucky to be in the same room as Max Verstappen. There's a reason you couldn't cut it at McLaren or Benetton and no one cares about your sad Zakspeed year. You threaten a pure driver like Max Verstappen when you had the chance to set F3 driver Ayrton Senna straight and you chose to wimper in the EJ trailer instead. Can you imagine if a real driver the likes of Martin Donnelly or Juan Pablo Montoya was threatened by him? They would have had to peel AS off a wall...

The manufacturers insist on battery power because they have spent billions on this technology convincing consumers that this is the automotive future... and they will either threaten legal action or threaten to quit if the FIA lean towards sustainable fuel. Naturally aspirated V8/V10/V12s will never breathe, let alone scream, in a future F1 race again.

We need the manufacturers to agree to change if we have any chance to save this sport."

Rating: Positive (2)     Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

2. Posted by Dirt, 06/04/2026 21:20

"I'm looking at an interview with Bernie Ecclestone dated November 14, 2014 (I'm sure our Editor knows the one) in which he derides social media as "nonsense," claims kids don't know what they want and have no money, states he'd rather go after the 70-year-old with cash, and that, "We're never going to grow [the F1 audience]."

With the benefit of hind sight he sounds naive not to have embraced social media in at least some limited form because he appears to have foreseen, albeit in opposition, the very path Liberty Media have chosen.

"

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3. Posted by KKK, 06/04/2026 20:31

"Ive been to Philip Islant for a motogp race when cases stoner was riding. It is, by far the best track ever. Adelaude street race? Do ne a favour!"

Rating: Positive (1)     Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

4. Posted by Celtic Tiger, 06/04/2026 20:16

"@KKK - I think Liberty has already started with MotoGP. They've decided to ditch Philip Island after this year in favor of a bloody street circuit in the parklands of Adelaide. Liberty Media, I believe as it was put somewhere, wants to "create a festival experience similar to F1". So, let the downfall of MotoGP begin as PI will most likely be the the first of many as they chase "the event" over "racing"."

Rating: Positive (6)     Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

5. Posted by Editor, 06/04/2026 18:49

"@ Meatball

Oh Meatball... do not get me started.

In much the same way that I do not seek the advice of actors or rock stars when it comes to politics or any other issues... other than acting and rock music, I am not interested in the thoughts of former drivers... except in a few very rare instances.

Increasingly, however some sections of the media are using the comments of former drivers, team bosses and even bloody Crofty!

We recently had a headline along the lines of "Crofty's warning for someone or other..." Ye Gods.

And then there's Guenther bloody Steiner.

I would rather run one news item a day than ten all based on claims made by Crofty, Brundle, Steiner, Villeneuve, Ralf Schumacher, et al, especially as most have some sort of agenda.

Then, of course, there are those who are now running news items based purely on comments and minor trends seen on social media."

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6. Posted by meatball, 06/04/2026 18:23

"remind me again - how many races has Brundle won? we won't bother counting championships...."

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7. Posted by KKK, 06/04/2026 11:50

"I think they should ditch the "Drivers Championship" and introduce a new one, "Technicians Championship"
Its not racing at all, just a soap opera. If the FIA has any brains they should realise that they are killing their golden goose egg. Next they will ruin MOTOGP"

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8. Posted by Editor, 06/04/2026 10:06

"@ Superbird70

Indeed.

And this is why I utterly despise Domenicali. Born and raised in Imola, worked his way up the ranks at Ferrari, and witnessed some of the best of F1 ringside.

But then he took the Liberty millions and proceeded to drag he sport into the gutter, shunning history and tradition for a new audience raised on social media and reality TV.

Then there's the likes of Woody, had he been on track with those two he would have reported them for exceeding track limits."

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9. Posted by Celtic Tiger, 06/04/2026 4:53

"Sadly, you cannot reason a person out of a place they didn't reason themselves into. I hold out no hope that the voices of sanity will pierce their well crafted bubble of self delusion and self interest.

Too much money has been spent on a bad idea and I doubt any OEM will take it on the chin for "the good of the sport". I mean, Cadillac is still building their engine with this disastrous formula in mind while they run Ferrari PUs in the interim. I don't know how far along they are but I can't imagine them flipping the workbench and starting all over again.
The chassis side is on the right track, in fact, the only thing that should have been 50/50 is the mechanical grip/aerodynamics balance of the cars. Although, I personally prefer an emphasis on mechanical over aero. I remember Monaco '95 when Berger pulled a controlled power-slide around casino square in his Ferrari 412. Epic stuff and I'd love to see it get back to that level of driver control... anyway, where was I? Oh yes, 50/50 on the chassis not the engines is what it should have been. The least invasive, performance wise, would be with the sustainable fuel they are running and a set-up in which the battery enhances the ICE (much like the La Ferrari had done) would have been much preferred if we're forced to have it and that annoying green agenda box would have been ticked.
Alas, it's all flipping pennies down a wishing well at this point. I imagine anything they do now will be tantamount to duct-taping a window to a house. Let's see what they come up with. In the meantime I think I'll dig up the '95 Monaco GP qualifying and watch Gerhard Berger work his magic around casino square again. At least I still have that."

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10. Posted by Geeza1966, 06/04/2026 2:36

"Hi guys n gals... I tend to agree with Pawsche here.... Its now all totally overhyped and media driven... Wags, red carpets, everyone attempting to boost their social profile... And the whole art of F1 has turned to dust. DTS is so scripted and Fake News, you couldn't make it up!!! Who remembers the episode that hailed George for his one stop strategy at Spa?? An absolutely fantastic strategic call from both driver and engineer... A masterstroke... But it didn't show the fact that the win was subsequently handed to Lewis due to his car being too light due to the excess wear on his tyres etc... So F1 needs to take a long hard look at itself here too, I feel. Not just copy paste and stick as it feels fit... Beware the Americanization of our sport eh??? I may have mentioned in an earlier post that the first GP I attended was Silverstone in 1986... To witness pure raw F1 as it was then. I was 20 years old and celebrated my 60th birthday just yesterday 5th April (depending where you re in the world... I am in Oz) I still love the sport and it does seem that Lewis is correct when he says that these cars behave in a far more respectable manner to give us closer racing etc... But then it is all ruined with pushing a button to get past. What happened to sitting behind the car in front, watching the degradation and sliding on certain corners to ascertain when you should make your overtaking move purely on out-braking on the entrance to a corner???? Truth be known, that's what true F1 fans really want... Chuck in a second tyre company to spark a tyre war, increase the fuel tank size to enable more power via fuel flow from the ICE, mild hybrid via a simple KERS system and 3.0ltr V8's, leaving the current aero package as it is.... and there you have a blueprint to make everyone fall back in love with F1 again... Just as I did 40 years ago. I will still continue to watch as I will always love cars and motorsport etc... And I also have the memories of the older iterations of the sport too. But I firmly believe that F1 is doing itself no favours by continuing to go purely for "road relevance and sustainability". How can a car that empties its battery pack in 12 seconds and then recharges it in 14 or whatever have anything to do with anything that we will ever drive on the road?? Well I have said my bit... Lol....Back to staining the garden fence now... Then me and the missus will nip down the pub this arvo for a final Bank Holiday beer or 2 before I get back to fitting blinds and shutters on Tuesday!! Stay well everyone and enjoy the rest of the holiday!! Cheers, Ian, sunny Port Macquarie NSW"

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11. Posted by Superbird70, 05/04/2026 19:04

"@Ed- If I were to reply to the first site. This would be my reply. The product is supposed to be racing!!!

https://sfcriga.com/images/others/sfcriga_legendary_duel_between_gilles_villeneuve_and_rene_arnoux_in_1979_dijon_photo1.jpg"

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12. Posted by Editor, 05/04/2026 18:29

"@ Pawsche

Come on, you are talking to the custodian of the Pitpass northern hemisphere cats, Myrtle, Charly II, Evie and Max (no relation)... but are pics of your pets genuine F1 interaction.

Be careful how you answer as it could dictate our future social media approach."

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13. Posted by Pawsche, 05/04/2026 17:01

"@Ed...

Loved the cat pictures on visacashetcetcetc's X feed. However, to return to the subject in the title...

Let's face it, no amount of 'tweaking' is going to overcome what appears to be a fundamentally badly framed set of rules for the power system. F1 was allowed itself to abandon good engineering principles in order to kowtow to the eco-bollocks. OK, they've, perhaps inadvertently, managed to create a decent chassis format that allows close racing but the limitations of battery life and power recovery gives rise to lots of 'false' overtaking which is utterly predictable and frankly totally uninteresting after a bit.

A very, very serious re-think is in order before the fans start bailing out - I was talking to a friend's 19-year-old petrol-head daughter the other day (Liberty's target new fan cohort!) who expressed exactly the same sentiments as those I've heard from 'my' cohort (70+ year-old gits) that the racing is artificial and that we don't watch to see F1 cars coasting and 'managing the power recovery system' rather than being driven balls-out!"

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14. Posted by Editor, 05/04/2026 16:23

"@ Dirt

The TV figures are no longer made available, but if they were good you can bet the various interested parties - F1/Stefano, Sky etc - would be shouting it from the rooftops.

Instead, we are basing the claims on reliable sources on social media, where it is claimed that many are cancelling their F1TV subscriptions.

I use the official F1 app for live timing. Last year I noticed that there was much less radio being transmitted, this year there is none. I stress this is the official F1 live timing app. Along with the current race/practice order, there is a driver tracker for following all the cars on circuit and tyre info. There is a window for messages from Race Control and this is where many of the radio calls could be found, but no longer. There is also a lot less radio interaction on the live TV feed also.

Talking of viewing figures and social media, I have been saying for some time that much of the social media from the teams is banal, asinine.

Here are two examples from the past 24 hours.

https://x.com/ScuderiaFerrari/status/2039976202937725021

and

https://x.com/visacashapprb/status/2040716082353463715

Both are aimed at particular fans, and, in my personal opinion, both are clearly aimed merely at creating interaction, thereby increasing the stats tally.

The second is pathetic, quite desperate, while I find the first somewhat insidious.

Nonetheless, it will enable Stefano to claim that social media interaction is through the roof."

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15. Posted by Dirt, 05/04/2026 14:11

"@Ed: Is there a reliable source for F1TV subscription data, or is it limited to what Liberty is willing to disclose? I'm genuinely curious as I haven't been able to find meaningful data myself. My limited research only turns up Liberty's 2024/2025 financial reports that state a 15% YoY increase in F1TV subscriptions for 2024, but do not provide the same data for 2025. It does give one pause as to whether F1TV subscription data was not provided because it declined (pure speculation on my part), as Liberty would surely be trumpeting an increase. I know I, for one, am not currently planning to re-subscribe to AppleTV/F1TV once my F1TV subscription expires in July.

As an interesting aside, I missed the Suzuka GP last weekend because I attended the MotoGP round in Austin TX in person and was not the least bit interested in watching the race (even Suzuka!) when I returned Monday. My small group was looking for a way from the T1 grandstand area to the T3 (esses section) area and we were guided by a very helpful local who lamented the whole time how F1 has wrecked access/viewing areas for MotoGP with grandstands and visual barriers. For added perspective, a 3-day General Admission ticket was only $120 plus a like amount for 3-day parking passes, though I expect that to change in the future now that Liberty is in the rider's seat..."

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