Lance Stroll said Formula 1’s new regulations for the 2026 season are “a bit sad” and believes many of his rivals are unwilling to voice the same view.
The new rules for next year include a switch to power units which generate up to half of their power electrically. This has been accompanied by the introduction of adjustable aerodynamics which will allow drivers to shed downforce on the straights but increase it when cornering.
Stroll has already tested Aston Martin’s interpretation of the rules in the team’s simulator. He isn’t happy next year’s cars will have a lower overall downforce level as a result of the power unit changes.
“It’s just a bit of a shame we’re just – Formula 1’s just – taking that path of electric energy and we’ve had to shed all the downforce off the cars to support the battery power,” he said. “It should be fun to see some light, nimble, fast cars with a lot of downforce and just simplify the whole thing a little bit. Less so of an energy, battery, championship, science project and more of just a Formula 1 racing championship.”
The FIA described next year’s regulations as a “nimble car concept”. However there is scepticism over whether its reduction in the minimum weight limit is achievable and how much of a difference it will make.
Stroll claimed some of his rival drivers share his concerns but are unwilling to criticise next year’s rules package.
“I’m not a fan of the direction but if we have a fast car and we’re competitive and we are doing better than everyone else, that’s when you’ve got nothing to complain about,” he said. “I don’t love the idea of the regs though.
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“I think a lot of the drivers can agree on that. Maybe some of them can’t talk about it for political reasons.”
Aston Martin’s title sponsor is the Saudi Arabian state petrol producer Aramco, whose CEO Amin Nasser has criticised the global shift away from fossil fuels and towards green energy technologies. “I think it’s exciting to think about cars that can scream a little bit louder, be a bit lighter, and not depend and focus so much on that energy, battery powertrain that’s not very racy,” Stroll added.
Other drivers who have spoken about next year’s regulations, such as Max Verstappen, have voiced concerns that the energy regeneration, management and deployment may come to dominate the racing. “I don’t know if that’s racing,” said Stroll.
“But it’s going to be the same for everyone next year and it’s all going to about who can do that best. I’m sure whoever’s doing that best is going to love the new regs.”
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