No Formula 1 cars will be on the track in April, but the first of a series of key meetings that could have a big impact on how the race unfolds when the season resumes is scheduled to take place on Thursday.
The cancellation of races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia as a result of the Middle East conflict has created a five-week gap in the calendar ahead of the Miami Grand Prix (1-3 May).
The extended period following the opening three rounds in Australia, China and Japan has given sporting directors time to consider and potentially adjust the new regulations introduced for the 2026 season.
The introduction of new powerplants and chassis brought some success, but people such as Lewis Hamilton said they enjoyed racing more than ever. But there were also imperfections.
Discussions about regulations were always planned after the initial rounds, but the event in Suzuka brought them back into focus. This included criticism from a new driver about the energy management requirements during qualifying and Oliver Behrman’s dangerous crash with a significant speed difference to the car he was following.
Max Verstappen has been particularly vocal about the situation, with the four-time world champion claiming he is considering quitting the sport at the end of the season if the rules are not changed to his liking.
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A look at Max Verstappen’s disappointing start to the 2026 Formula 1 season
What is there to discuss?
In F1’s new powertrain regulations, electric power and internal combustion engine power are split 50%. Additional reliance on electricity means drivers need to charge their batteries in an optimal way. Otherwise, the car will do this through ‘super clipping’, slowing down to allow the battery to recharge.
This caused the Bearman to crash heavily at Suzuka and saw the Haas driver take to the grass to avoid the Alpine of Franco Colapinto, who was slowing to recharge his battery.
Drivers appear largely united in wanting to change this factor to avoid the potential dangers of situations like the one Bearman found himself in.
Williams’ Grand Prix Drivers’ Association director Carlos Sainz said drivers had met with the FIA in Suzuka and single-seater director Nicolas Tombazis said changes would be made for the next round in Miami in early May.
Sainz says a “better solution” is needed to find a “safer way to race” that addresses the significant closing speeds.
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Carlos Sainz says he hopes the FIA will put ‘better regulations’ in place ahead of Miami after Ollie Bearman suffered a heavy crash during the Japanese Grand Prix.
“I was so surprised when they said, ‘We’ll clean up qualifying and leave the race alone because it’s interesting.’ As drivers, we were extremely stressed that the problem was not only in qualifying but also in the race,” he said.
“We have been warning that these types of accidents will happen all the time. Suzuka is lucky to have an escape route. Imagine going to Baku or Singapore or Las Vegas and experiencing this kind of lockdown speed.
“As the GPDA we have warned the FIA that these regulations will lead to a lot of these accidents and that something needs to change soon to stop them happening.
“I hope it sets an example and I hope teams listen to their drivers and don’t listen to teams and some people who say ‘racing is okay’ because racing isn’t okay.”
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Ollie Bearman has left after suffering a huge crash to see his racing in Japan come to an end.
One solution to eliminate lifting and coasting, a phenomenon in which drivers lift off the throttle before braking to recharge the battery, is to increase the amount of power when super clipping.
Currently, drivers can charge 250 kW when super clipping, compared to 350 kW when lifting and coasting. Increasing the super clipping allowance will naturally prevent drivers from lifting as much. However, there are still some areas that are considered potential problems with super clipping.
Difficulties with battery management also had an impact on qualifying, as drivers seemed unable to push themselves to their limits, and attempts to get through corners faster sometimes pushed the car out of its optimal energy deployment.
Charles Leclerc, one of Ferrari’s most aggressive qualifiers, explained how things are bothering him in Japan.
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Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton avoided a collision after a narrow overtake at the Japanese Grand Prix.
“I don’t think it’s the best feeling for everyone going into Q3 because we want to push the limits of that car,” Leclerc explained. Sky Sports F1.
“Every time you play with these limits, not only are you paying for a small snap, you are paying three times as much in straights. This is very disappointing because qualifying is all about us trying to find the limit and play with the limit.
“Now, whenever you play with the limits, you have to be under the limits, which is an art in itself, because it gets destroyed in a straight line.
“Every good driver has to make a difference anyway, but the rewards are low for those who try to overcome it, and most of the time it pays off in the third quarter, but not with this car.”
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A thrilling conclusion to Chinese GP qualifying as Kimi Antonelli takes pole position
At Suzuka, the FIA reached an agreement with the five engine manufacturers to reduce the energy recharge allowed per lap from 9.0 megajoules to 8.0 megajoules.
This has been done to reduce super-clipping, but the problem has not been fully resolved, so the FIA may increase the recharge limit further to 6.0 megajoules.
This means there is less energy to recover, which means the car has less acceleration and the driver has to reach top speed later in the straights, reducing the need for super clipping or lifting the throttle into the braking zone.
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Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc will go head-to-head in a Ferrari at the Chinese GP.
How can the process work?
Sky Sports News I understand that no decisions will be made at Thursday’s meeting, but rather that it is the first of a series of meetings that may ultimately lead to some changes.
This first meeting is understood to be more of an ideation session, which will eventually lead to a full-fledged meeting at the end of April, attended by representatives of F1’s commercial rights holder FOM, the sport’s governing body the FIA, and team and driver representatives.
So while it is unlikely that any formal communication will emerge from Thursday’s meeting, the nature of the process reflects the united manner in which key figures in the sport are working to deliver the best possible course of action.
The sport’s bosses are no doubt keen to satisfy drivers’ concerns, but they also seem pleased with the reception the opening race has received from fans.
Any adjustments after this month’s meeting will likely be introduced at the next race in Miami.
Formula 1 will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1 from May 1-3 with the Miami Grand Prix the second sprint weekend of the season. Stream Sky Sports NOW – No Commitment, Cancel Anytime
