P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Nikolas Tombazis has said the governing body of F1 is “fully open” to address concerns raised by Max Verstappen regarding the 2026 regulations.
The FIA’s Single-Seater Director, Nikolas Tombazis, is fully open to addressing concerns raised by Max Verstappen and other drivers regarding the 2026 regulations in Formula 1.
Verstappen isn’t entirely pleased with the direction of the F1 technical regulations in this new era of the sport.
He finds the 50-50 split between electric and combustion propulsion to be an extreme decision that he strongly disagrees with as a four-time World Champion.
During pre-season tests in Bahrain, Verstappen compared the 2026 cars to “Formula E on steroids,” expressing his dissatisfaction with driving the RB22 despite its competitiveness.
Not only Verstappen but also George Russell criticized the new generation of F1 cars, highlighting issues like the start procedures without the MGU-H producing subpar race starts.
Tombazis emphasized that the FIA values driver feedback and is willing to make small adjustments to energy deployment in 2026 to strike a balance, considering the concerns raised during pre-season tests.
Feedback from drivers, teams, and PU manufacturers is being actively solicited and considered, with potential rule adjustments being discussed through a governance process to improve the overall experience for all stakeholders involved in Formula 1.
