Ayao Komatsu demands F1 to make ‘minor change’ to the regulations despite calling for patience

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Ayao Komatsu does think the new F1 regulations need more time to be studied, but one small tweak is needed for driver safety.

With just two races done and dusted, the new F1 regulations have left fans and drivers split. While some believe the new regulations have been a breath of fresh air, there are others who have been very critical.

Max Verstappen called the new regulations a joke, serving as the driver with the most scathing critique of the new direction that Formula 1 has taken.

Would Max Verstappen be complaining about F1’s 2026 regulations if he had joined Mercedes?

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Even reigning world champion Lando Norris called the new regulations artificial, showing that many top drivers are clamouring for sweeping changes.

However, Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu believes the F1 regulations need more time to be assessed fairly, even if one change does need to be made.

READ MORE: Ayao Komatsu has been setting Oliver Bearman the goal of beating Red Bull during the 2026 F1 season

Ayao Komatsu calls for improvement in battery management during qualifying

Ayao Komatsu wrote a column for AutoSport Japan, where he discussed the current F1 regulations and the controversy surrounding them.

Komatsu noted that while it is important to stay patient in order to address the new regulations for their merit, the issue of battery reliance during qualifying must be addressed.

“There are areas that need improvement, but I think it’s also important to take the time to wait and see how some of the fights go.”

“In Shanghai, for example, the quality of the overtaking was much better than at the Australian Grand Prix, and I think Sunday’s race was worth watching.”

“The next Suzuka will be as energy-challenged as Australia, so the quality of the overtakes may suffer again. So I’m basically against changing the rules too early.”

“It seems like the time has come to make some changes, but it is too early to make any major changes based on data from just three locations: Melbourne, Shanghai, and Suzuka.”

“The only thing that needs to change is what I wrote earlier: ‘Make sure drivers can run at the limits of their grip in qualifying and not be tied down by their battery.’”

“This is a relatively minor change that should improve the situation considerably, so I believe this is something that should be addressed urgently.”

READ MORE: What many F1 ‘experts’ are now saying about 2026 regulations amid Max Verstappen complaints

You’re the FIA: What’s the first thing you would change in the 2026 regulations?

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F1 drivers handed a blow as officials deem no changes to be made right now

Upon hearing many of the complaints from drivers, Formula 1 officials convened to discuss the possibility of amendments to the new regulations.

However, given how well the first two races have been received by fans, officials have decided not to make any major changes to the regulations, according to Auto, Motor, und Sport.

For drivers like Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, this means their complaints have effectively fallen on deaf ears, and they will have to focus on driving instead.

Perhaps the five-week break will give officials more time to consider making changes, especially if things go poorly at the Japanese Grand Prix this weekend.