Flavio Briatore argues against the proposed 2026 regulations, urging F1 to maintain the current rules, which have finally delivered close racing.
“It’s a mistake to change,” especially when everyone is so close.
Flavio Briatore believes Formula 1 is making a mistake by altering the regulations for 2026.
The radical new technical rules, including a further shift towards electrification, have sparked intense debate in recent weeks. The discussions, primarily led by Red Bull and Ferrari, who support less radical electrification (or even a return to the V10 engines), have not led to any changes in plans.
For Alpine, however, the transition from 2025 to 2026 could be a positive development, as the team will switch from Renault’s factory engines to Mercedes’ customer engines, which are expected to be the new benchmark.
Yet Briatore, who serves as an advisor for Alpine F1, is not satisfied with the direction the sport is taking.
“I believe it’s a mistake to change the rules, because right now we’re at a point where 10 or 12 cars are within two-tenths of each other. This is exactly what we’ve always hoped for,” Briatore said.
“This is what we’ve always said we wanted: cars that are closely matched and multiple drivers winning Grand Prix. So now, we change the rules? I don’t see the point.”
The argument for change comes from the fact that the new rules have led Honda to reverse its decision to leave the championship, while also encouraging Audi to enter. Cadillac-GM is also entering F1 in two phases: with its team in 2026 and its engine in 2029.
“That’s great, but… that’s not the issue,” Briatore responds. “We need to go back to the basics. What we all wanted was a Formula 1 with closely matched cars and exciting battles between drivers. Now we have that. So, what’s next? ‘Let’s change again!'”
“We’ll see how it unfolds, but clearly, I wouldn’t have changed the rules at all. What more do we want? What we’re seeing today is as close to perfect as it gets.”
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Briatore: F1 Should Drop Proposed 2026 Rules
Briatore: F1 Should Drop Proposed 2026 Rules
