Carlos Sainz will approach F1 bosses ‘hand in hand’ with Max Verstappen if new rules fail

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The new regulations have divided F1 drivers since the very first day of pre-season testing, and GDPA president and Williams star Carlos Sainz has asserted that he will approach F1 bosses with Max Verstappen if the majority still aren’t happy after a trial period.

As with every new set of technical regulations, the first F1 cars to be built in line with the 2026 ruleset were highly anticipated over the winter break.

The most recent regulatory overhaul is one of the biggest amendments to the rules in F1 history.

Not only are drivers getting used to a brand-new chassis, but a redefined engine formula has also forced drivers to completely change their driving style to maximise performance.

Pre-season testing in Bahrain saw a multitude of F1 drivers voice their dismay with the new crop of cars, with Fernando Alonso labelling the new energy management as ‘annoying’, and Max Verstappen issuing an ‘anti-racing’ verdict on the new rules.

As the president of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GDPA), Carlos Sainz is at the forefront of communications with F1 bosses over the current sentiments of the grid.

While the overwhelming sentiment is negative at the moment, the Spaniard has urged his rivals to be patient during their adaptation period.

• READ MORE: F1 team principal says Christian Horner may have been right all along about ‘Frankenstein’ 2026 cars

Carlos Sainz asserts he will give the new regulations ‘four or five races’ before going to F1 bosses

During an interview with Mundo Deportivo at an event for one of his sponsors, Sainz highlighted how he won’t waste any time in approaching F1 bosses over the state of the sport, but asserted that the regulations need enough time for a fair assessment.

“I sincerely believe we have to wait,” Sainz told journalists. “Wait 5 or 6 races, see how the regulations play out, see if the races are fun, more fun than last year, less so, if there’s more excitement, less, if the drivers have more or less fun.

“After 4 or 5 races, don’t worry, I’ll be the first to say that I don’t like what I’m seeing, what I can project, and what I think F1 is going to become, and I’ll also be the first from the GPDA to support one direction or another.

“I insist: if I see that I don’t like it, or it doesn’t motivate me, or I see that this F1 has too many negative aspects, I will be the first to go with Max to talk to Stefano Dominicali or Mohamed Ben Sulayem of the FIA.

“To tell them, ‘Hey, this isn’t working, you’ve made a mistake, we’re not enjoying the car, something has to change because this isn’t going anywhere.’

“I will be the first to do it, and if I have to go hand in hand with Max or with George or whoever, then I will go, but I insist, I believe that on a personal level it’s not yet the time, nor is it appropriate to judge without having even raced a single race.”

Sainz’s main gripe with the new ruleset is down to it exposing the main weakness of Williams, which is the ongoing disparity of resources that the top F1 teams have compared to the midfield.

• READ MORE: Formula E CEO claims F1 drivers have enquired about testing their cars after 2026 regulation change

Aston Martin are currently facing a 38kph deficit to Ferrari’s engine! Do you think they’ll even QUALIFY for the Australian Grand Prix?!

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The new rules have been tipped to bring an end to multiple F1 drivers’ careers

The fallout from F1’s new regulations being a failure could be colossal. Verstappen has previously stated how he will simply quit the sport if he isn’t enjoying the calibre of racing, and Alonso isn’t getting any younger with each passing season.

Former F1 star Juan Pablo Montoya has told Verstappen to start acting like a world champion following his scathing critique of the regulatory overhaul, and the Dutchman was even approached by Formula 1 Management (FOM) in the aftermath of his comments.

What’s more, Alonso is expected to fast track his retirement to the end of the 2026 term, with Aston Martin’s woes in the new ruleset being the brunt of his current frustrations.

The season-opener is less than two weeks away now, so it will be fascinating to see the reaction of F1’s finest following the first chequered flag of 2026.