Nico Rosberg gives verdict on controversial 2026 F1 rules

Nico Rosberg has moved to downplay the controversial F1 rules and regulations implemented this season.

New engine and chassis regulations this year, which see an almost 50/50 split between the internal combustion engine and electrical power, have divided opinion across the grid. The cars are also lighter, smaller, use active aerodynamics and devices such as ‘Boost Mode’ and ‘Overtake Mode.’

Yet issues with the nature of how F1 goes racing have reared their head. Drivers are inconveniently having to ‘lift-and-coast’ at the end of straights to harvest energy, while thrilling on-track battles have been labelled “artificial.” Four-time world champion Max Verstappen has declared the new regulations “anti-racing” and “like Formula E on steroids.”

Yet 2016 F1 world champion and Sky Sports pundit Rosberg, who is an investor in sustainable technologies, has defended the new regulations and says he is “more easygoing” on some of the drivers’ concerns.

"F1 is pursuing the technology that is most relevant to society, so this power unit is probably one of the most efficient there is in the world,” he explained to Bloomberg. “50 per cent battery power, that's a lot. And also, as you know, the fuels are CO2-neutral. Biofuels, synthetic fuels, a mixture of that. So it's a CO2-neutral fuel.

"But there's a lot of criticism at the moment as well, because you can see at the last race, they go down the straight, sort of flat out bend, and have to downshift after the bend, whilst they're still on the straight, because their battery power switches off.

"From a spectator point of view, it's a bit awkward when you're supposed to be going flat out with the highest performing Formula 1 car. Nevertheless, I'm a bit more easygoing on that, because from my point of view, as long as there are great battles, intra-team, and the other teams in the battle.

“Hopefully, Ferrari can use this gap now to close up to Mercedes. McLaren was there already in the last race. So if we get a really cool battle there, then I think all the fans won't mind what the technology is and will just love and appreciate the racing and the battles."

Nico Rosberg has defended F1’s new regulations (Getty)

There has not been a genuine intra-team title battle at Mercedes since Rosberg’s victory over Lewis Hamilton a decade ago. This year, Kimi Antonelli leads George Russell in the standings after the first three rounds, with Mercedes clearly the fastest car on the grid.

“What an amazing story we have, 19-year-old Kimi Antonelli, the ultimate underdog, is leading this world championship, three races in,” Rosberg added. “So that's wonderful. He has so many fans.”

Rosberg was speaking at HumanX, an AI Conference taking place in San Francisco over the weekend.

The next F1 race is the Miami Grand Prix on 1-3 May.