Carlos Sainz tells F1 drivers to lay off 2026 regulations criticism despite calls for more changes

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Carlos Sainz thinks F1 drivers should ease off on their criticism of the new regulations, even if they aren’t perfect yet.

There were plenty of changes introduced as part of the 2026 F1 regulations, and we saw some of them in action at the Miami Grand Prix.

Lando Norris seemed supportive of what he saw but pointed out that issues with hybridisation still need addressing.

Oscar Piastri, though, raised concerns about how random some of the changes felt. Carlos Sainz, coming off his second top-10 finish of the season, urged others to give it more time before passing judgment.

Carlos Sainz urges F1 to collaborate over new regulations

Carlos Sainz says it’s time for Formula 1 drivers to move away from constant criticism of the new regulations and instead focus on working together to improve them.

The updated 2026 rules were put to the test at the Miami Grand Prix, and reactions were mixed across the grid. Lando Norris acknowledged some positive steps but pointed out long-term issues with hybridisation, while Oscar Piastri questioned the logic behind some of the changes.

Sainz, coming off his second top-10 finish of the season, called for more patience and a collaborative approach from his fellow drivers. Speaking to ESPN after Miami, he addressed whether the recent updates had made a real difference.

“Look, overtaking is overtaking. That’s true. But it depends more on what you do with the engine strategy and engine map than what you do as a driver,” Sainz said.

“So I think these regulations still have potential for improvement. But I think it’s time to stop criticising and keep pushing for changes in the right direction.”

F1 needs collaboration to address criticism of 2026 rule changes

McLaren took things further by instructing Norris not to criticise publicly – a surprising move given that he hadn’t been particularly outspoken about them lately.

In contrast, Sainz seems open to a more constructive path forward. His recent comments could signal a willingness among drivers to work more closely with officials rather than remain adversarial.

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