Carlos Sainz believes the 2026 regulations risk steering Formula 1 away from its traditional DNA. Speaking to the onsite media, including Sportskeeda, ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix, the Williams F1 Team driver raised concerns about the nature of overtaking in the new generation of cars, describing it as “artificial”.

Several drivers across the grid, including Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, have already voiced reservations about the 2026 regulations and their potential impact on the quality of racing. Under the new rules, the Drag Reduction System has been removed and replaced with an overtake mode and boost mode. With roughly 50 percent of the car’s performance now dependent on electrical output, battery management has become a crucial factor during races.

Echoing concerns shared by others in the paddock, Sainz pointed out that the new engine regulations add layers of complexity that drivers are still adapting to. One of the main issues he highlighted is the need for drivers to lift and coast even during qualifying laps in order to manage energy deployment.

According to Carlos Sainz, the sight of cars slowing down midway through straights to manage energy is not particularly appealing from a racing perspective. He also argued that the reliance on overtaking mode changes the natural dynamics of wheel-to-wheel battles, where differences in speed were significant, and driver skills alone did not determine overtaking opportunities. In his view, the new cars limit some of the organic racing elements drivers have been accustomed to in previous generations of Formula 1 machinery, affecting the sport’s original “DNA”.

Asked by Sportskeeda to simplify the key areas that needed immediate change in the 2026 regulations, Carlos Sainz said:

“I think I don’t like seeing top speed decreasing in the middle of a straight and having to lose 34 KPH through a super clip in the middle of a qualifying lap. I don’t like having to lift and coast in the middle of a qualifying lap, and I don’t like the, let’s say, the racing that we saw in Melbourne. I think the closing speeds that we have when you use the boost button, plus the overtake mode, having 60 KPH difference in an overtake, and overtaking. Like, if we build the car, it is completely stopped. It’s not a real overtake of Formula One, and anything that allows you to do that, I think it’s, in a way, you can call it artificial. I’ve seen some people calling artificial. I just see that’s not the DNA of a sport.”

“I think the DNA of the sport is… Put yourself in a position to do an overtake and finish it with a strong braking performance, or a nice switchback. Energy should only allow you to get to that point, but not to overtake someone like you are completely stopped. In terms of the regulations, you know, and how we arrive at this point, I think most drivers agree, not much fun to drive,” Carlos Sainz added.

Carlos Sainz hopes for the electric element from the 2026 cars to be changed

Carlos Sainz believes there is a broad consensus among drivers that the electrical component of the 2026 Formula 1 cars has made the racing less appealing. Speaking about the early experiences with the new regulations, the Williams F1 Team driver suggested that the increased reliance on electrical energy has complicated the racing dynamics.

Carlos Sainz pointed to the opening race of the season at the Australian Grand Prix as an example, where energy management and electrical deployment played a significant role in shaping how drivers approached the race. According to him, the heavy electrical element has added complexity that may not necessarily enhance the on-track spectacle.

However, Carlos Sainz remains hopeful that the situation could improve as teams and the sport gain a better understanding of the new power units. He suggested that the balance between combustion power and electrical deployment could be refined in the future to produce more natural racing while still retaining the technological ambitions of the regulations.

Asked what the solution to the complexity of the 2026 regulations is, Carlos Sainz replied:

“I don’t know the fixes. I am not an engineer. I don’t understand the power unit deep enough to say, increase the fuel flow with a bit more harvesting, a bit less harvesting, a lot one side. I have no clue- What is the solution or the right compromise? For me, the only thing I would say is that, for me, Australia was clear after, you know, free practice, that… the formula that we came up for the beginning of the year, with a 50/50 hybrid situation, is probably not the final one or not the right one so far.”

“But the more I talk to people, and the more I understand a bit of the feeling of everyone, also at the top, everyone seems to be quite in alignment. But hopefully, we’ll change a little bit as we move forward in the year, and as we learn the power unit regulation, a bit more,” Carlos Sainz added.

The Australian Grand Prix demonstrated how the sweeping 2026 regulations, affecting both the engine and chassis, have significantly altered the dynamics of on-track racing. Overtaking is now a far more complex process, involving not just driver skill but also the strategic use of engine deployment, battery harvesting, and energy management.

The newly introduced overtake mode and boost mode have drawn criticism from several drivers across the grid. Many have pointed out that adapting to the new cars has required them to unlearn driving techniques that were effective in previous generations of F1 machinery and formula cars, replacing them with strategies centred on energy optimisation and system management.

The complexity of the new regulations has also sparked debate among fans and analysts, with some suggesting that the increased focus on engine management and energy deployment makes the sport harder for viewers to follow. As a result, the regulatory framework has become a major talking point in the lead-up to the Chinese Grand Prix. Formula 1 is expected to gather feedback from teams and drivers over the opening races before considering any potential adjustments. The early reactions have already ensured that the effectiveness and long-term direction of the 2026 regulations will remain a significant subject of discussion within the sport.