(Motorsport-Total.com) – The 1996 Formula 1 World Champion, Damon Hill, is speaking up for the new regulations: While some drivers are struggling with the 2026 rules, the Brit sees an interesting, tactical, and entertaining spectacle at the Japanese Grand Prix.
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Aspects of the new regulations for 2026 – such as the necessity of lift-and-coast to recover race-deciding battery power – have recently come under criticism from some drivers and fans. However, the former Williams driver has a positive opinion of the action on the track.
“Listen, I know some drivers don’t like having to drive slower to charge their batteries, but I find the racing very interesting,” he explains to F1 TV. “I think it’s tactical. They have to think, and we are entertained.”
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The first rounds of the 2026 season have shown a changed dynamic on the track. The opening race in Australia, for example, provided 120 overtaking maneuvers, whereas there were only 45 at the 2025 Melbourne GP.
Hill’s former teammate Jacques Villeneuve adds: “It’s interesting, not exciting. It depends on what you expect from Formula 1, but the fans are probably happy because Suzuka is usually never an exciting race. Most of the time they just drive behind each other. Now there were some position changes.”
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Hill responds to the Canadian: “Yes. I mean, we saw overtaking maneuvers and then counter-attacks. That happens rather rarely in our sport, doesn’t it?”
Praise for Oscar Piastri
Hill picked out McLaren driver Oscar Piastri as the standout performer of the Japan weekend. After he was unable to start at both the season opener in Australia and in China, Piastri converted his third starting position in Suzuka into a podium finish in second place.
“I think Oscar is still very hungry after missing out on the title last year,” says Hill. “He was good all weekend. It was nice to see McLaren looking a bit stronger – that’s great for us.”
Looking back at the season so far, Hill summarizes: “We had three different brands in the top 3 and many different drivers up there. You currently have about six drivers who could win. That’s pretty good.”
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