The world of Formula 1 is under scrutiny after comments from former driver David Coulthard regarding the FIA. He pointed out that the regulatory body has not responded with the necessary speed to problems that could arise from the new technical regulations planned for 2026, a situation that Coulthard compares to an imminent disaster that everyone could foresee.
The winner of 13 Grands Prix has expressed his frustration over the FIA’s inability to address early warnings. The new regulations, which involve an almost equal distribution between the internal combustion engine and electric power, have raised concerns among drivers and engineers long before the vehicles hit the track.
Ignored Concerns
Coulthard, participating in the podcast Up To Speed, stated that the concerns expressed by paddock professionals had been virtually ignored. ‘What I find disappointing is that, with the new regulations coming at us like a freight train, everyone was warning, and the response was almost total silence,’ he commented.
He added that it was not until the preseason tests and the first race of the season in Melbourne that the severity of the new regulations became evident, with visible setbacks when taking corners.
A Promising Season
Despite this initial discomfort, Coulthard acknowledges that since the Miami race there has been a notable improvement, and he highlights that the diversity of winners in recent competitions indicates that the season has good potential. ‘We’ve seen five different winners in the last five races, which shows a varied season,’ he said.
However, he insisted that the FIA’s late reaction to the warnings was necessary, and that it would be advisable for the entity to take notes on what they have learned in a sport that thoroughly simulates the future. ‘The reality is that we were aware of what would happen, and now what we will see is an increase in the internal combustion engine in the coming years,’ he concluded.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
