P1racenews AI automatic summary:
The FIA has been urged to consider three critical safety changes to the 2026 Formula 1 rules before the season opener in Australia
The FIA has been urged to consider three critical safety changes to the 2026 Formula 1 rules before the season opener in Australia, amid concerns from McLaren team boss Andrea Stella. Stella believes that complications triggered by race start procedures, lift and coasting, and huge closing speeds as cars battle to overtake on straights need to be addressed. These aspects pose unnecessary risks to drivers and could be eliminated with simple changes to technical rules. Stella emphasized the importance of ensuring all cars have the power unit ready to go during the race start procedure to prevent slow takeoffs from the grid. He also raised concerns about minimal speed differences between cars on straights without DRS, increasing the risk of following drivers being caught by surprise. Stella proposed rule tweaks to discourage lift and coast driving, suggesting adjustments to the battery power available in certain race conditions. Despite previous discussions on race start changes, disagreements among teams, such as Ferrari, have hindered progress on potential safety improvements. Stella advocates for prioritizing safety over competitive interests, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to enhance driver protection in Formula 1.
