Nigel Mansell criticized the overtakes in F1's new era as 'totally false', echoing concerns from other champions like Max Verstappen. The new regulations for the 2026 season have led to overtaking aids that some believe compromise the sport's authenticity.
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F1 world champion Nigel Mansell has labelled overtakes seen in the sportâs new era as âtotally falseâ in a brutal takedown of the 2026 season so far.
New engine and chassis regulations this year, which include a power unit with a near 50/50 split between internal combustion and electrical power, have resulted in energy management being a central part of qualifying and races.
The opening two rounds in Australia and China saw numerous overtakes, yet reigning world champion Lando Norris described the moves as âartificialâ, given the new overtaking aids available (boost mode, overtake mode and active aerodynamics) alongside varying degrees of battery management.
Four-time world champion Max Verstappen has also described the new cars as âanti-racingâ and âlike Formula E on steroidsâ and has threatened to quit the sport, such is his dissatisfaction. And 1992 world champion Mansell has added his voice to the list of those critical, insisting some fans are âgrumpyâ at the changes.
âI might get shot for saying this, but sadly, some of the overtakes are just totally false,â British racing legend Mansell told Autosport.
âI mean, some of the overtakes look great and then you come out the next corner and then the car just blasts past you â and the other car goes backwards because the computer is giving you the extra power not at the right time. And the driver doesnât control that obviously, because he wouldnât have employed it.
âI think it was Lando [Norris] who quoted, âWell, I didnât want to overtake him going into the first corner and into the chicane, but I had no choiceâ.
âAnd then coming out of the corner, heâs in the lead and then the car just blasts past him again going down the straight. So I think youâve got to be very careful because, forget me, it doesnât matter about me, but the fans around the world, I know an awful lot of them are very grumpy.
âAnd to be fair to the fans, I agree with them.â
Nigel Mansell described the overtakes in F1's new era as 'totally false', criticizing the artificial nature of the moves.
The new regulations have introduced a power unit with a near 50/50 split between internal combustion and electrical power, making energy management crucial during races.
Lando Norris called the overtakes 'artificial', while Max Verstappen described the new cars as 'anti-racing' and akin to 'Formula E on steroids'.
Yes, Max Verstappen has threatened to quit F1 due to his dissatisfaction with the new regulations and car designs.
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Tweaks to the regulations â to reduce the need to âlift and coastâ in qualifying and lessen the risk of dramatic closing speeds in races â were made last week, yet the basis of overtaking will not dramatically change when F1 returns this weekend in Miami.
Nigel Mansell says ovetakes seen this season have been âtotally falseâ (AFP/Getty)
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has previously defended the regulations and rallied back against the notion that overtaking this year was âartificialâ, despite criticism from the likes of Verstappen.
Earlier this month, Domenicali said: âOvertaking some people are saying is artificial, what is artificial? I mean, overtaking is overtaking.
âWith Max, we have spoken many, many times since the beginning. So we understand that I understand his comments and he understands the bigger picture.
âEven today he has been in a meeting where he was very keen to give suggestions. So, you know, I donât want to fall into the trap of trying to create an antagonism because thatâs not me. Itâs not the way that we want to see that.
âSo weâre going to be together. Heâs the best driver, heâs a world champion, multiple world champion, and of course, his voice has to be listened to. But of course, he knows that his voice also has a weight. And he needs to respect that weight [because] sometimes some people can take it the wrong way.
âThis is something that we should not allow to happen.â