A Formula 1 at the pit stop
Thanks to the full month’s break, caused by the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix, FIA, F1, and the teams have scheduled some meetings to take stock of what was seen on track in the first 3 world championship rounds.
The new regulatory regime has brought some positive aspects – such as the exponential increase in overtaking – and others negative. The latter in particular, relating to the possibility of pushing in qualifying and the danger of finding a rival with a flat battery ahead on track, were highlighted by the drivers themselves, who asked for prompt intervention to avoid frustrating and dangerous situations.
FormulaPassion.it asked Francesco Cigarini (present on Instagram and on YouTube), at Ferrari for 22 years, for an opinion on this 2026 Formula 1.
Read more Overtaking boom: +150% compared to 2025
An F1 in beta version
Francesco Cigarini, what is your assessment of the regulations after the first three Grands Prix of the season? Is this new course of Formula 1 working? What would you save and what absolutely needs intervention?
“It seems that the start of the season was the ‘beta’ version of F1. Teams, FIA, and insiders were ready to see if the simulated theories could have a real impact on the track, and react in case there were problems.
So the forced stop due to the cancellations of the two Middle Eastern GPs gave everyone the opportunity to adjust their aim and think about corrective measures with a bit of calm. We will see if that is the case.
The cards could be reshuffled because there will be developments from the teams. What is decided might become effective later on. Using 50% internal combustion and 50% electric was an optimistic agreement, probably it was thought that by this point the effectiveness of the electric part would be further ahead in perspective compared to when, years ago, they established the regulation change.
Reducing the impact of the electric part can avoid slowing down in the middle of the straight at the expense of a slower lap time… But it should be submitted for review by the teams, and those in front fear losing the advantage they have gained…”
Read more Verstappen’s next races at the Nurburgring: double event on April 18 and 19, also at night
