Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso support the upcoming changes to F1's 2026 regulations ahead of the Miami Grand Prix. Both drivers have voiced concerns about the new focus on energy management in the sport.
Photo by Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso have expressed similar views on the changes coming to F1’s 2026 regulations, speaking ahead of this weekend’s Miami Grand Prix.
Both drivers have been vocal critics of Formula 1’s new direction since getting a feel for their teams’ 2026 cars during pre-season testing.
Alonso described the upcoming rules as ‘annoying,’ pointing to the increased focus on energy management that will come with the new engine format, which splits power equally between electric and combustion sources.
Verstappen, though more blunt in his assessment, shared the same concerns. He compared the rules to ‘Formula E on steroids,’ a comment that didn’t sit well with F1 executives.
This week, F1 responded by announcing several adjustments to the technical regulations based on feedback from drivers following the first three races of the season. Both Verstappen and Alonso were quick to weigh in.
Speaking to the media on Thursday in Miami, both Verstappen and Alonso agreed that F1’s recent technical adjustments didn’t go far enough.
As reported by Sky Sports, the two world champions believe the updates fall short of what’s needed, with Verstappen calling for more significant changes ahead of the 2027 season.
He said: “It’s a tickle in the right direction, but hopefully for next year we can make bigger changes.”
The FIA has responded to complaints about excessive lift-and-coast demands by increasing the maximum power for super clipping – when the battery recharges while still at full throttle – from 250kW to 350kW.
Qualifying energy recharge limits have been reduced from 8MJ to 7MJ, and a new system has been introduced to address safety issues at race starts. This is expected to benefit younger drivers like Kimi Antonelli.
Alonso acknowledged that while some tweaks were necessary after three races, this is only a first step: “I think some tweaks were needed after the first three races, and this is the first step.
The 2026 regulations will introduce a new engine format that splits power equally between electric and combustion sources, emphasizing energy management.
Both Verstappen and Alonso have expressed criticism of the new regulations, with Alonso specifically calling them 'annoying' due to the focus on energy management.
The Miami Grand Prix is scheduled for this weekend, coinciding with the discussions about the 2026 regulations.
Energy management is crucial in the new regulations as it will dictate how teams balance the use of electric and combustion power in their cars.
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“My personal opinion? I think we all have a different one, but maybe we needed more, maybe they are not enough.”
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton was also asked for his thoughts inside the media pen on Thursday. During pre-season testing, Hamilton was a leading figure who raised concerns over the amount of necessary lift and coast (LiCo).
Hamilton had been one of the drivers most vocal about this issue during pre-season testing and was still not convinced by how much impact the updates would actually have.
“I don’t really know the difference it’s going to make in terms of how it affects us all racing. I’m honestly not sure how big a step it’s going to be, I don’t know,” he said.
“We’ll find out whether it’s big enough or not. We’ve obviously tried it on the sim, and it feels pretty similar to me.”
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