Ferrari emerge as ‘key lobbyist’ against major 2026 F1 rule change rivals teams are desperate for

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Ferrari are believed to be a ‘key lobbyist’ against Formula 1 making any changes to formation laps, or race starts amid concerns from rival teams.

One of the emerging trends from the 2026 Formula 1 season is how quickly Ferrari’s cars can get off the line.

Charles Leclerc rushed into the lead of the Australian Grand Prix from fourth on the grid, with Lewis Hamilton managing to overtake both Mercedes drivers going into turn one in China.

Should F1 bosses have been ‘tougher’ on Max Verstappen after he criticised the 2026 rules?

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It’s believed that Ferrari’s smaller turbo is responsible for their rapid race starts, with less time needed to generate the required revs from the new hybrid power unit.

However, there are safety concerns with F1’s starts, as Liam Lawson was nearly crashed into by Franco Colapinto in Melbourne after a slow getaway.

Max Verstappen has struggled to get off the line at every race this season, and teams are now trying to force the FIA’s hand and make changes to the procedure.

READ MORE: All you need to know about Scuderia Ferrari from team principal to factory

Ferrari ‘key lobbyist’ against FIA making changes to Formula 1 race starts and formation laps

A report from The Race has shared more details about discussions currently happening in the paddock with the FIA.

The starting procedure has already been changed once this season, with a five-second window now introduced to allow drivers to spool up their turbos before the 10-second countdown to the five lights going out begins.

However, energy recharge during the formation lap continues to be a problem, with many drivers left without any battery power by the time they reach the grid.

A decision has now been made by the FIA on the two races in the Middle East

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Ferrari are believed to be the ‘key lobbyist’ against any changes to how the formation lap works, primarily because they believe any alterations would significantly benefit title rivals, Mercedes.

Mercedes’ compression radio is already under the microscope, with changes arriving on June 1 to how that’s measured, which could have an impact on their performance.

The last thing Ferrari wants is an advantage that they specifically planned for and warned rival teams about being removed after building their most competitive car in years.

Gary Anderson admitted he was surprised more teams didn’t copy Ferrari’s turbo solution, particularly as it was Fred Vasseur who raised the issue with the FIA last year that race starts could be a problem for the current hybrid power units.

READ MORE: Who is Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur? Everything you need to know

How Fred Vasseur has already reacted to changing formation laps rules this season

The report goes on to suggest that the addition of the five-second pre-race warning is already ‘slightly unfair’ on Ferrari, given they specifically designed their turbo without that in mind.

However, he’s been clear that any further changes should be dismissed, otherwise it would be Ferrari who would end up at a disadvantage for following the rules more strictly than others.

“I think that we already changed massively the rule of the start with the five-second story,” Vasseur explained.

“One year ago, I went to the FIA. I raised the hand on the starting procedure to say, ‘guys it would be difficult’. The reply was clear that we have to design the car fitting with the regulation and not to change the regulation fitting with the car.

“We designed the car fitting with the regulations. The change of the five-second light story didn’t help us at all. But I think at one stage enough is enough.”

Paddock politics have always played a huge part in any Formula 1 season, and Ferrari are seeking to improve their power unit via the ADUO rules in just a few races’ time.

Every set of regulations eventually settles to create a more competitive balance across the grid, but this season, Mercedes and Ferrari know they need to fight tooth and nail to end their respective championship droughts before the likes of McLaren and Red Bull can catch up.