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Crash.net takes a look back at some of the biggest controversies that surrounded new F1 seasons.
The 2026 Formula 1 season is set to begin next weekend amid a controversial start.
Much of the focus has been on a potential loophole in the new engine regulations that Mercedes may have exploited.
Concerns over protests at the Australian Grand Prix have led to the FIA proposing a mid-season rule change to address compression ratio limits.
Reflecting on past contentious season openers, five notable instances stand out in F1 history.
From driver strikes in South Africa in 1982 to the ‘lie-gate’ scandal involving McLaren at the 2009 Australian Grand Prix, controversies have marked various season beginnings.
The 2014 season also saw uproar over new engine regulations resulting in quieter cars and aesthetic challenges with the introduction of 1.6-litre V6 turbo hybrid power units.
