Gabriel Bortoleto, from the Audi F1 team, has suggested that drivers should “turn the page” on their complaints regarding the 2026 regulations and is convinced that Formula 1 has not lost its magic.
The change from the 2022-2025 regulations, where drivers had become accustomed to cars with high aerodynamic load capable of taking even the most challenging corners at high speed, to the rules of 2026 has generated controversies within the field.
Improvements in energy management
Although the aspect of energy management has improved slightly with the modifications in Miami concerning the deployment regulations, which have limited electric power and the use of boost to ensure that batteries discharge at a slower rate, this has been just a small step.
More changes will be made in 2027 and 2028 to address the more serious issues related to energy management, with increases in internal combustion engine power thanks to the rise in fuel flow limits.
Many drivers have warned that Silverstone is challenging for energy use, and have suggested that the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps could be even more demanding. Oscar Piastri suggested it could be “sad” to see some of the challenges being muted by empty batteries.
A different perspective
Bortoleto offered a different viewpoint after the British Grand Prix, stating that Silverstone has not lost its “magic,” despite slower speeds in the fast corners.
“I don’t think we’ve lost the magic of the sport,” Bortoleto said. “We are still driving extremely fast at Copse. It’s 280 km/h, so I still have to lift my foot to make that corner. It’s not so easy to do it flat-footed, it’s not like you say: ‘Oh, we’re not using all the rubber we have.’”.
“It’s a different concept from last year, but I think we need to turn the page. These are the regulations we’re living with right now,” he added.
The Brazilian driver pointed out that the more negative voices in Formula 1 need to find another topic and accept that the new regulations will apply until 2030, when a possible return to an atmospheric V8 would be considered.
Bortoleto noted that he still enjoys driving the current cars, which, on the chassis side, have been largely appreciated by drivers for their greater agility.
“If there are still people complaining, they are simply wasting the page. These are the regulations we have until 2030, if I understood correctly,” he continued. “And then, in 2031, when we have the new regulations, we will talk about it again. But we can’t spend three years talking about the same issue every time, because this is what we have. The cars are still fun to drive. It’s different. We have to adapt to it, and that’s life.”.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
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