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The 2026 Formula 1 regulation changes have led drivers to look towards Formula E to help adapt to the new cars.
The new ruleset sees F1 move more towards electrification, with the power unit having a 50/50 split between internal combustion and electrical power. These changes have led to some harsh criticism from some of the sport’s biggest names.
Testing is fully underway in 2026 with shakedowns in Barcelona and Bahrain. The feedback has been far from positive, however, as Max Verstappen likened the new machines to Formula E cars.
Have the 2026 regulations made F1 worse, with Max Verstappen likening driving the new cars to Formula E?
Lewis Hamilton has similar concerns to Verstappen about how these new regulations will impact the sport. The seven-time world champion says they are too complex to understand, likening them to a GP2 car.
Oscar Piastri also compared the cars to Formula 2, as several drivers encountered issues with starts during Bahrain testing. They are struggling to adapt to the new regulations, which has led some to turn to their all-electric neighbours.
Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds claims F1 drivers have asked to test their cars
Formula E drivers have been privately helping F1 teams in the simulators, providing valuable feedback with their expertise in electric vehicles and components.
But Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds has claimed that some F1 drivers are going above and beyond to try and learn the new regulations. Talking from the Jeddah e-Prix on Kym Illman’s YouTube channel, he says they are looking to test his cars, having already publicly offered a test to Verstappen.
“I’ve got a few of the F1 drivers who’ve contacted me about it and asked where they could have a go,” said Dodds. “I’d love to get Max in the car, if only to get his private feedback. Thrash the car around for a few hours and let me know what you think.
“10 of the drivers in this grid are currently with F1 teams, helping them in the sim testing for the new regs. They all know each other. A lot of them live in Monaco together.
“What’s nice for me is the drivers here that have been in the Gen 4 car, in the dev car, are all saying this is something completely different and they talk about it.
“And the reason I get the calls from those drivers or their agents is because they’re all talking about it and they all love cars. They just want to drive cars and experience new cars and fast cars. So, it’s more of a: ‘Where can we have a go?”
READ MORE: Everything we know about F1’s 2026 regulation changes from engines to tyres
Mercedes’ 2026 engine trick is another headache for the FIA amid driver complaints
The drivers’ criticism of the 2026 regulations is another concern for the FIA ahead of the season. There is also the matter of Mercedes’ engine trick with the compression ratio, which has caused an uproar amongst rival manufacturers.
The Brackley outfit are said to have found a loophole in the regulations, which gains them three tenths per lap. This has enraged the other engine suppliers, who are calling for the FIA to take action against the team.
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FIA’s engine chief approved of Mercedes’ power unit, declaring it legal, but this has not pleased Ferrari, who have privately labelled the FIA as ‘incompetent’. They are drawing up a new way for the governing body to test the Mercedes engine.
Ferrari are confident the FIA will ‘ban’ Mercedes’ engine trick before the season opener in Melbourne. Where that will leave the Silver Arrows and their customer teams, McLaren, Alpine and Williams, is to be seen.
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