Enzo Ferrari’s son agrees with Lewis Hamilton about the 2026 F1 regulation changes

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Lewis Hamilton believes Formula 1’s new regulations are too complex, and Piero Ferrari, son of the team’s legendary founder Enzo, has the same concern.

F1 is becoming almost 50% electric in 2026. With the batteries now three times as powerful, energy management will be critical to success.

Drivers like Max Verstappen have resorted to unorthodox methods to charge the battery up during the lap. Verstappen has been the biggest critic of the new rules, suggesting that F1 has become ‘Formula E on steroids’.

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Hamilton and Verstappen have similar concerns about the impact on the sport’s DNA.

“None of the fans are going to understand it,” the Ferrari driver said during testing last week, via ESPN. “It’s ridiculously complex. I sat in a meeting the other day and they’re taking us through it. It’s like you need a degree to fully understand it all.”

Piero Ferrari agrees that new F1 rules are too complex

Speaking to F1 journalist Leo Turrini, Piero Ferrari agreed that only a ‘true scientist’ could understand the latest rulebook. He thinks it should be made ‘simpler’ in the interests of the ‘ordinary people’ who follow the sport.

Ferrari are currently involved in two early disputes over the new cars. The first concerns Mercedes’ fuel compression ratio, which allegedly exceeds the limit of 16:1 when the engine is hot.

The other four power unit manufacturers are pushing the FIA to expand their checks, which would close the loophole that the Silver Arrows have exploited.

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Meanwhile, there are safety concerns over race starts, but Ferrari are resistant to change because they have already developed a workaround.

“I would like simpler technical regulations,” said Ferrari. “Less complex, less complicated. You have to be a true scientist to understand things.

“Instead, it would be nice if ordinary people were able to understand why a single-seater is faster or slower than the competition.”

F1 bosses told they aren’t going to save the planet with sustainable fuels

In addition to the engine component changes, F1 cars will be powered by sustainable fuels in 2026. This is a key part of the sport’s effort to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030.

But Ferrari has questioned whether the move will really have the desired impact, while also complaining about the cost of the product.

“Furthermore, there are exaggerations that leave me perplexed,” he said. “For example, I doubt we’ll improve the planet’s environmental health by running F1 on highly sophisticated and expensive special fuels!”

Different teams are using different suppliers, which could have competitive repercussions. Ferrari are working with Shell, Mercedes continue their partnership with Petronas and Red Bull are tied to ExxonMobil.