F1 2026 regulations spark concerns among veteran drivers

The upcoming 2026 Formula 1 regulations have raised eyebrows among seasoned drivers, with David Coulthard and Mark Webber expressing significant concerns about the future direction of the sport.

As F1 aims to embrace a more sustainable future, these rule changes could potentially alter the very essence of grand prix racing.

Power split shift raises questions

The FIA's unveiling of the 2026 technical regulations in June introduced a paradigm shift in F1's power unit philosophy.

For the first time in the sport's history, power will be equally distributed between the internal combustion engine and electrical power, with the complex MGU-H system being dropped.

David Coulthard, speaking exclusively to PlanetF1.com, highlighted the potential impact on racing dynamics:

"I have a concern that I feel is shared by the engineers and drivers that as we increase them to a 50/50 electrical, internal combustion that changes the profile of the lap and how the cars develop."

The former McLaren and Red Bull driver elaborated on how this could fundamentally alter the nature of racing:

"There is the potential reality that they'll accelerate, and then they'll start decelerating towards the braking zone so your Vmax will be somewhere around the middle of the straight, which is a different way of racing."

Implications for overtaking

Coulthard's concerns extend to the potential impact on overtaking, a crucial aspect of F1's spectacle. He suggested that the new regulations might inadvertently hinder one of the sport's most exciting elements.

"If they're slower at the braking zone, they'll brake later. So we could end up with a shorter braking distance which may be detrimental to overtaking – so Daniel Ricciardo's dives on the inside may not happen,"

Coulthard explained, referencing the Australian driver's renowned late-braking overtaking style.

Weight concerns persist

While the 2026 regulations aim to reduce car weight by 30kg, Mark Webber argues that this reduction is far from sufficient.

The Australian ex-F1 driver emphasized the need for a more drastic weight reduction, citing both performance and safety concerns.

"The weight is a big problem,"

Webber told PlanetF1.com.

"I mean, they're just too heavy. All the drivers would love the cars to be lighter and when you put in another 20 kilos in, you've got to put more weight in to make it safer."

Webber advocated for a much more significant weight reduction:

"30 kilos less is like one string on a tennis racket. It's nothing. So they need to really try to get 150 kilos out of the car in the future."

Safety implications of Heavier cars

Contrary to conventional wisdom, Webber argued that heavier cars could pose increased safety risks to drivers. Drawing from his personal experience, he explained:

"I have crashed in the same corner in a light Formula 1 car and a heavy sports car in Brazil and in the impact, it is really not helpful to have the extra weight because the drivers are still part of that inertia. So to have a lighter car is much safer."