Readers warn F1 risks losing its soul as criticism of 2026 rules intensifies
Readers debate whether Formula 1’s 2026 direction is taking the sport too far from its roots, with criticism focused on energy-saving tactics, regulation complexity and the loss of pure racing spectacle.
Regarding the Formula 1 2026 rules and regulations: compare the likes of John Watson clinically slicing his way through from 22nd to victory in the 1983 Long Beach Grand Prix, above, the last lap wheel banging between Gilles Villeneuve and René Arnoux at Dijon or Nigel Mansell’s diving pass on Nelson Piquet into Stowe with the artificial boost overtakes we’ve so far witnessed this year and it’s enough to make one weep with frustration at how the ’sport’ is turning out.
As Max Verstappen quite rightly points out, those who are enjoying the current debacle do not understand motor sport.
And don’t get me started on qualifying. To hear the revs rise as drivers lift off on entry to fast corners to harvest energy is totally against everything that pure racing stands for.
Anyone who witnessed Keke Rosberg’s 160mph pole lap in the damp at Silverstone with a slow puncture must be beside themselves.
I just hope the FIA and F1 see sense. Meanwhile MotoGP beckons, as it has done for the past few decades. Real racers, real racing, lights to flag.
Jeremy Snook, Lambourn, Berkshire
This ‘Bianco Speciale’ Ferrari 250 GTO was recently sold by auctioneers Mecum for £28.8m
LAT Images
Just received the February ’26 issue and have to say that it was glorious! Give my compliments to Owen Norris [MotorSport’s art editor] and his team for this issue’s appearance. It’s really a treat for the eye on every page.
I noticed one point in Simon de Burton’s piece on the recently sold (here in the US) all-white Ferrari 250 GTO [Whiter shade of sale]. The notes state that the bodywork was designed by Giotto Bizzarrini. No question that he led that project (against much negativity from Enzo) but the body was actually designed internally at Ferrari by Bizzarini’s partner in that project Edmondo Casali. My source on this is Spanish journalist David Rodriguez who has a fantastic historic database of such details that occurred in Modena during that era. Since this design is one of the world’s great aesthetic/functional shapes the designer should get credit.
Peter Brock, via email
I was so interested in the February edition’s piece on the Thomson Road circuit [GreatLost Circuits] and Julian Nowell’s letter [about the track] in the March edition. I was but a ‘wee boy’ when I lived in Singapore between 1960–64 as my father was working in the MoD and my lifelong love of motor sport was defined by attending the events on offer. I was at the 1962, ’63 and ’64 grands prix on the Thomson Road circuit (which also hosted sprints on the infamous Snakes section of the track during the season).
For such a small country it was rich in motor sport events with the Gap Hill Climb (again on public roads), sprints at RAF Changi (now the international airport) and kart racing at Kallang Park. And across the Causeway on the mainland was Johor which also hosted its own “Grand Prix”!
My passion led me to competing for many years followed by my son who was considerably more talented behind the wheel than I! I attach some copies of programmes which may be of interest.
Keith Atkins via email
Singapore was a hotbed of motor racing events in the 1960s – and our reader attended some.
I’m rather dismayed with current levels of F1 acrimony in interpretation of rulesets, and the number of protests and penalties at races for minor infractions. Some teams seem to rely on protest rather than get on with their development. Unnecessarily Red Bull seem to have ‘whinges’, and rather than fettle their own wings, would prefer to clip those of others.
Philip Clarke via email
Max Verstappen has derided F1’s new rules – and Jeff Williams says Jenks would be in agreement
The front cover of the April issue of Motor Sport magazine [F12026: your guide to F1’s new era] had me worried and I was bang on – over 100 pages of boring Formula 1 analysis. Well somebody has to say it! I feel entitled to do so as a subscriber since the mid-60s.
For those of us who avidly followed F1 in the ’60s to the ’80s there are just so many things wrong with modern F1 and other top-rung motor sport championships.
In ‘our’ period, we loved the way F1 conducted itself:
• Drivers used to acknowledge the crowds with a simple wave of thanks, not a wiggle and dance on top of the car like an American football player or a US NASCAR winner.
• Drivers dressed and groomed properly like gentlemen, not like musical pop stars… Although there was the odd slob like dear old James Hunt.
• Drivers and cars followed simple identifiable colour schemes, not the multi-sponsor, weird US style where machines are liberally plastered with company logos, rendering the cars almost indistinguishable from one another.
• The cars were interesting and often beautiful to look at – unlike the modern F1 designs which look like a slightly odd combination of a snow shovel and an overdressed porcupine!
• The rules were simple and easy to follow – capacity, dimensions, minimum weight, and some necessary safety related regs, and we all understood them.
Lets go back to the old simple rules –before F1 and the rest totally crashes and burns from overregulation and overfunding.
Peter Pentz, Campton Hills, Illinois
Is this a Ferrari? Who knows – to some readers they all look the same these days…
Grand Prix Photo
I am not usually in agreement with Max Verstappen but I am with regard to the new regulations in Formula 1. I feel that the late, great Jenks would also deplore the fact that the drivers will not be racing all the time. The need to conserve tyres was not as bad as it encouraged good car design as well as driver ability. This new regulation is a step too far even though the same thing could be said about it.
it’s leading more and more to the idea that we need to have more power from the internal combustion engine
By
Motor Sport
No doubt Nicky Samengo Turner’s letter in the April edition [suggesting a random draw to determine starting position as with horse racing] will have enthusiasts spluttering with indignation. However the true purists will know that pre-war grids were sometimes decided by ballot, so not a new idea.
If the sport really wants to attract a wider audience just imagine the additional public interest if drivers had to draw lots, say on the drivers’ parade? If this idea were to be adopted qualifying could be held in the normal way but with points awarded.
Tony Elgood, Beckenham
Recently I asked an AI system to predict the WRC champion for this year, 2026. After pondering long and hard for almost 10 seconds it replied that, while it could not predict with certainty, the most likely contenders for champion would be Kalle Rovanperä and Ott Tänak. Well there we are. Keep up the good work.
Ed Goodhugh via email
I’ve nearly finished reading the March mag and have to say how much I have enjoyed it – brilliant. I first bought Motor Sport in September 1967 when I first started work. I remember it well, seeing the mag on the newsagent’s shelf with a picture of the white, winged Chaparral, above, and from that date Motor Sport has been my go-to, when you need a bit of time on your own, after the major times in life that come your way. Once again thank you for a wonderful publication.
Chris Brightmore via email
Can all motor racing commentators stop using corner numbers – they do not mean anything.
