Alex Wurz says ‘most drivers’ in F1 agree on the radical engine rule change the sport needs to make

Follow us on Google Discover

The chairman of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, Alexander Wurz, has revealed the major engine change that ‘most drivers’ are calling for.

Before the 2026 Formula 1 season started, the sport’s technical regulations underwent a huge overhaul.

From this year onwards, cars are smaller, lighter and more reliant on electrical power. The changes were made to promote closer on-track action.

However, fans and drivers have raised concerns after experiencing the new regulations, with some comparing the latest rules to ‘Mario Kart’.

Meanwhile, four-time world champion Max Verstappen is said to be considering stepping away from F1, having called the new changes ‘anti-racing’.

Martin Brundle perfectly sums up the start of F1’s new era

How do you feel about the new rules after three races?

Comment

Like or Comment

Have your say Sign-in now for free

Alex Wurz reveals the F1 rule change ‘most drivers’ want

Speaking recently on the latest episode of the Lift and Roast podcast, Wurz stated that most drivers have been calling for a major rule change to be made.

However, the GPDA chairman did state that it could be difficult to achieve in the modern world.

Wurz said: “F1 is a full-throttle sport, I believe most drivers, I don’t want to say all, would very much like to see us go back to normal combustion engines.

“Of course, we live in today’s world, but with synthetic or sustainable fuels, we can fully meet the requirements for sustainability and environmental friendliness.

“We are a global sport, and we have the right to exist in the long term.”

During the Japanese Grand Prix, safety concerns regarding the new regulations were raised after Oliver Bearman’s huge crash on Lap 21.

READ MORE: Martin Brundle claims driver safety is the FIA’s ‘fourth’ priority after Oliver Bearman crash

F1 urged to introduce immediate ban after Oliver Bearman crash

Responding to the Bearman incident, Wurz urged the FIA to bring in an immediate ban that could solve the issue with closing speed.

Wurz said: “For safety reasons, we simply have to ban sudden deployment spikes at top speed.

“That would require a piece of software that is standard across all teams, one that perhaps factors in speed and distance so we just don’t see these situations anymore.

“The danger arises if the speed does not develop linearly, but changes abruptly, as in the case of Bearman.”

He continued: “Then you’ll have a surprise, and you can’t calculate that because you don’t know what the person in front is doing in terms of energy management.

“That’s where they need to come in to say this should never happen with the software. The software knows I’m running out of energy, I mustn’t let myself get into a kind of super clipping at this speed in this section of the track.”