P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Oliver Bearman is hopeful that one particularly “horrible” downside of being a F1 driver will disappear in the 2026 season.
Oliver Bearman hopes that the “horrible” downside of back pain experienced by Formula 1 drivers will be eliminated in the 2026 season due to new technical regulations.
The 2026 season will introduce new cars with smaller, lighter frames and different aerodynamics, potentially putting an end to ground-effect and the discomfort caused by low ride heights on straights.
Max Verstappen and Bearman have both spoken out about the challenges faced by drivers due to the physical strain caused by the current car design.
Bearman described the pain as making drivers wish for the race to end, especially on demanding tracks like Mexico where bouncing on kerbs is particularly painful.
He emphasized that the lack of respite during races, especially on straights, poses a significant challenge and expressed hope that the 2026 cars will address this issue.
Overall, the changes in the 2026 season aim to improve drivers’ comfort and focus by addressing the physical strain caused by the current car design.
