Carlos Sainz has expressed his concerns about the performance of Formula 1 vehicles during the Belgian Grand Prix, questioning the viability of the new regulations that will be implemented starting in 2026. The Spanish driver has voiced his surprise at the current situation and the simulations conducted a few years ago.
Following a season start in which drivers have voiced complaints about the energy management of the vehicles, Sainz highlighted that although some changes have been made, the recent races, including those at Silverstone and Spa-Francorchamps, have showcased the limitations of these regulations.
Circuit layouts with medium-high speed corners and long straights have hindered the charging of the cars’ batteries. Despite adjustments in electric power, Sainz points out the obvious loss of speed, especially at the end of the acceleration zones. Comparing the laps of Anthony Norris and Kimi Antonelli, he has observed that current cars are noticeably slower in key parts of the Spa layout.
The Williams driver did not want to undervalue his own competition, but he stated that the fun during qualifying laps has decreased compared to the previous year. Sainz said: ‘We have lost a lot with these vehicles around Spa. Everyone knows that this is not enough.’
His comments came at a time when a complicated start with the use of active aerodynamics was expected. Furthermore, Sainz hopes that things will improve next year and the following year. ‘We need to review what happened in the 2022 and 2023 simulations because such a situation cannot be accepted,’ he concluded.
In response to Sainz’s concerns, Lewis Hamilton agreed, stating that the problems with speed on the straights were obvious and had been foreseen early on. The discussion about the future of the rules will continue as the season progresses, with hopes that necessary modifications will be made to bring excitement back to qualifying sessions.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
