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F1 chief addresses 2026 automotive issues in wake of Max Verstappen and Lando Norris criticism

Stefano Domenicali spoke to pick out media together with Categorical Sport concerning the scenario.

Stefano Domenicali insists F1 will nonetheless be thrilling in its new period (Picture: Getty)

Method 1 chief Stefano Domenicali has promised followers that the game will stay “an unimaginable spectacle”, regardless of complaints from drivers about their new vehicles. Max Verstappen led complaints after the primary interval of pre-season testing in Bahrain final week when he claimed the brand new technology of racing machines felt “like Method E on steroids”.

Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton additionally mentioned the vehicles “really feel” like they’re slower than Method 2 equipment and complained that they’re “ridiculously complicated” and could also be tough for a lot of followers to know. And whereas present champion Lando Norris was initially extra optimistic, he U-turned on Thursday to confess his new McLaren is “completely not” as pleasurable to drive.

There are additionally issues that the racing is likely to be much less entertaining, given electrical vitality administration might be essential to success and that may require drivers lifting off the accelerator greater than beforehand. Talking to pick out media, together with Categorical Sport, from the Bahrain Worldwide Circuit on Thursday, Domenicali insisted: “I wish to reassure the followers that it’ll [remain] an unimaginable spectacle.

“I used to be simply on the monitor to see exterior with a fan eye – I did not see any distinction, whether or not it was the pace, the sound. And if there may be something that needs to be addressed with the FIA, as a result of that is their obligation, we’ve got an unimaginable F1 Fee.”

The F1 Fee met on Wednesday in Bahrain, the place it was determined that “no speedy main regulatory modifications are required” regardless of the complaints raised by drivers, as a result of “untimely change carries the chance of elevated instability forward of the brand new race”. However the door was left open to modifications later within the yr if obligatory, as an FIA assertion added: “Additional critiques might be carried out as soon as extra knowledge turns into obtainable.”

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“We have to keep calm as a result of, as all the time, when there’s a new regulation, there’s all the time the doubt that every part is fallacious. I bear in mind in 2014, I bear in mind in 2020 and I bear in mind in 2021 and, as all the time, F1 as a system has all the time been proving that the technical answer may have all the time helped the groups to be quick and the drivers to be the very best. So I am completely optimistic for that.”

Pre-season testing concludes on Friday with one ultimate day of working, forward of the weekend when, for logistical causes, groups might want to ship necessary automotive components, corresponding to their engines, to Melbourne forward of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on March 8.

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