P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Carlos Sainz has said “It’s a pity” that the 2026 rules reset will blow apart the Formula 1 pecking order after the field has converged so well.
The 2024 campaign made history with seven different race winners, the most since 2012, all of whom won multiple races, a first in F1. Four different teams, Red Bull, McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes, claimed victories. 2025, the final year under current rules, promises a tightly contested season, anticipating a reset in 2026. Despite the impending changes, drivers like Sainz appreciate the current competitive balance within teams, believing it showcases true talent. The 2026 rules will see lighter, shorter, and narrower cars with more emphasis on electrification, offering a chance for teams to excel or falter, reminiscent of past shifts. The competitive landscape in F1 is at an all-time high, creating a sense of disappointment that the level playing field achieved could be reset in the near future, posing a challenge for teams to maintain equilibrium.