Lewis Hamilton left unimpressed after speaking with other F1 drivers - 'We will see'
Lewis Hamilton has his reservations about the new regulations
REUTERS
Lewis Hamilton has admitted to having reservations about F1's planned changes for the 2026 regulations after speaking to other drivers who done some runs in the simulator.
The FIA unveiled the new-look F1 cars for the 2026 season on Thursday, which will be lighter and smaller in size.
For the past few decades, F1 cars have been getting heavier and bigger, making some tracks almost impossible to overtake.
But the new regulations for 2026 are set to go in the opposite direction as well as being more economically friendly.
The biggest changes are also being made to the power units with an increased battery power with the use of 100 per cent sustainable fuels.
Lewis Hamilton has his reservations about the new regulations
REUTERS
Hamilton praised the FIA for making a 'bold step' with the power unit, however he's not sure the lighter models go far enough.
“I mean, it’s only 30 kilos, so it’s going in the right direction, but it’s still heavy," he said.
“I’ve spoken to some drivers who have driven it on the simulator.
"I haven’t, but they said it’s pretty slow. So we will see whether it’s actually the right direction or not.
“But I think in terms of sustainability, particularly on the power unit side, I think that’s a really bold step and I think it’s going in the right direction.
“We’ve just got to make sure that cars are efficient, fast and an actual step forwards and actually racing is improved.”
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali is clearly confident that the changes will have huge benefits for the sport as a whole.
“These regulations mark a significant moment in the future of our sport as we look forward to a new generation of car and power unit that aims to give our fans closer and exciting racing.
"The new sustainably fuelled hybrid power unit presents a huge opportunity for the global automotive industry, the drop in fuel has the potential to be used by cars around the world and dramatically cut emissions.
"Its potential is one of the key reasons why we will have a record number of engine suppliers in Formula 1 in 2026.
Lewis Hamilton thinks it's a small step in the right direction
REUTERS
“We enter this new regulatory cycle with the sport in the strongest position it has ever been, and I am confident that the work done by the FIA to create these regulations will further strengthen the position of the sport around the world.”
But Hamilton's concerns are shared by other drivers on the grid as Haas' Nico Hulkenberg feels some tweaks will need to be made.
“Yeah, it’s certainly quite different,” he said. “Some interesting areas and aspects. I think some that still need a bit of further work.
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Stefano Domenicali is confident the new regulations will improve the sport
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“Like Lewis said, I think the weight reduction is good, but then 30 kilos is also not the world.
“It looks like a lot less downforce, especially high-speed corners. It will be quite a different scenario and characteristics to now.
“There’s going to be definitely a drastic change and change is always, you know, you’re not always so open to it, but we’ll see what happens between now and in the one-and-a-half years, if there might be some small adjustments or not.”
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