Four-time World Champion Sebastian Vettel has warned Formula 1 to not lose its DNA amid sweeping but incremental changes made to the 2026 regulations.
The F1 ‘Spring Break’ has given the stakeholders of the sport enough time to put the wheels of change into motion.
Three rounds into the sport’s latest era, and the current technical regulations accumulated scathing reviews from the drivers and fans alike.
Oliver Bearman’s freak 50G accident at the Japanese Grand Prix – resulting from the all-new power unit characteristics – was the final nail in the coffin for the FIA and F1 to act.
Recently, the sport has released a revamped ruleset, subject to confirmation by the World Motor Sport Council, which will try and address the safety and sporting concerns raised.
Vettel, however, remains apprehensive of the formula in general, forewarning the sport of not losing out on its DNA in search for augmented, but often artificial, on track action.
“I’ve seen it [the changes] briefly,” he told SVT.
“I hope from a sporting point of view, that’s what they’re trying to address and it makes the drivers happier, because ultimately, the drivers are the face of the sport.
“And if they come out of the car and are full of adrenaline and are excited, it’s what makes people excited on the screens and in the stands as well.”
Sebastian Vettel urges F1 to ‘not lose its DNA’
The former Red Bull and Ferrari driver believes changes to the current formula are warranted but erred on the side of caution.
Vettel’s isn’t the only one who is of the opinion that the sport needs to take measured and concerted steps to address issues cropping out of the incumbent regulations.
Before the changes were approved, Toto Wolff had urged the F1 Commission to “act with a scalpel and not with a baseball bat” with respect to the rule-set.
“On the sporting side, I hear and I echo the criticism, because the cars are probably fun to drive but it’s probably not so much fun to race because of the regulations and the difficulties that come with that,” Vettel explained.
“So I sympathise with the drivers, and it is very critical not to lose the heart and the DNA of the sport, which is finding the fastest driver in the fastest machine to win the race.”
The WMSC is set to vote on these changes before the Miami GP, scheduled in May.
READ MORE – F1 drivers facing tax crackdown by new Italian laws
Discussion about this post