Norris fears 2026 F1 rules risk making racing feel fake

Several top Formula 1 drivers say the incoming 2026 regulations will require a major mental shift, with some expressing concern about how the changes will affect the sport’s authenticity and appeal.

Speaking Thursday at Spa, the grid reacted to the technical direction of the 2026 cars, which will feature greater electrification, lighter chassis, and complex energy management systems.

Lance Stroll recently criticised the shift, calling it “not the Formula 1 I fell in love with.”

Carlos Sainz was blunt when asked if he had experienced the new concepts in the simulator. "Very complicated. It occupies a lot of brain space while you're driving," said the Williams driver.

"At the beginning, we're all like: what the hell is going on here? Why do we need to do so much of this? Why is the car feeling different every lap?

"But then, by the time we start racing with it, everything will feel more natural. The big question is whether that new normal is better than the old normal. That's the million-dollar question. If we have to do six or seven switch changes through a lap, we'll do them."

Lewis Hamilton, who adapted to the last major power unit change in 2014 and went on to dominate the era, took a more optimistic view.

"For me, the thing I love about Formula 1 is that there are these changes. There's so much innovation and development," said the Ferrari driver.

"This next step, I would say, probably the driver has even more input into the development - particularly of the power unit and how you use the power.

"I don't really want to shut it down, because maybe things will be good. It could go either way - it could be good, it could be not so good, but only time will tell."

Championship contender Lando Norris struck a more critical tone, noting the new cars are “good, but in a different way” and could diminish the visual impact.

"You brake sooner at the end of a straight, which makes it less impressive for the fans," said the McLaren driver.

"Formula 1 is the pinnacle of motorsport and speed, and you're going to get almost nothing better than what we've had in recent years."

He warned about the growing sense of artificiality: "I don't want it to become too fake or scripted… I just want to drive, shift up, shift down, and be on the limit."

Even so, Norris acknowledged the fresh start could bring opportunity: "Some things will be better, some not so much, but it's a new challenge, and I'm really looking forward to that."