(Motorsport-Total.com) – Alpine driver Pierre Gasly joins the calls for improvements to the controversial 2026 Formula 1 regulations, particularly to improve qualifying. At the same time, he contradicts the negative sentiment that the new rules would take away the drivers’ ability to make a difference.
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“I honestly think there’s a bit too much negativity around the subject, and I don’t like that,” he explained in Japan. “I really believe that a lot is still being asked of the drivers. When you’re driving in Sector 1 at Suzuka and you have a certain level of grip, the other things don’t matter. The battery, all those things – you still have to stay at the limit of the available grip.”
Nevertheless, he also sees room for improvement: “I definitely agree with what the others think about battery management and so on. I think we all agree. We all see the same thing. We all speak the same language. We all want the sport to be as good as possible,” says Gasly.
“I’m sure we’ll make the best of it. It’s a kind of review. I’m sure that during the break everyone will do their best to put Formula 1 in a better state,” the Frenchman continued.
Safety concerns and “lift-and-coast” in qualifying
The new regulations place a massive focus on the management of electrical energy. This has fundamentally changed the approach of drivers and teams to qualifying. The need to recover energy now significantly influences how much the drivers can push to the limit.
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After Oliver Bearman’s serious accident in Japan, the enormous speed differences between the vehicles once again came into focus as a safety risk. However, the most striking feature of the new Formula 1 remains the need for drivers to perform “lift and coast” or use “super clipping” in qualifying, i.e., charging the battery at the expense of engine power.
This has led to some of the most exciting corner combinations on the calendar losing their appeal in qualifying, causing disappointment for drivers and fans alike. A review is planned for next week to make targeted adjustments before the next race in Miami in four weeks.
The drivers are largely united in their desire to make qualifying a pure competition at the absolute limit again. Nevertheless, Gasly rejects the claim that driving skill no longer plays a role with the 2026 vehicle generation. Due to the significantly reduced downforce, the cars are even more difficult to control in the corners.
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