Former F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone has suggested that the sport could lose fans because of its new regulations. <\/p>\n
\nThe 2026 F1 season is seeing wholesale regulation changes<\/a> sweeping into the sport, both on the power unit side of things, and when it comes to car chassis.
<\/p>\n \nF1 cars are smaller, lighter, narrower and more nimble than they were in 2025, and they are also powered with a greater emphasis on electrical energy.
<\/p>\n \nThe use of electrical energy in the power units has been tripled since 2025<\/a>, meaning that there is almost an exact 50-50 split between electrical power and the internal combustion engine (ICE), with the ICE also running off 100 per cent sustainable fuels.
<\/p>\n \nIt means that there is a greater expectation on drivers to manage their batteries throughout the grand prix distance, and also throughout a single qualifying lap, with both the boost button<\/a> and overtake mode<\/a> needing enough charge of the battery left to be able to fully utilise the extra power that they will provide.
<\/p>\n \nThese rule changes have led four-time world champion Max Verstappen to label it ‘Formula E on steroids’<\/a>, in a nod to the all-electric racing series, while a number of drivers have bemoaned how different it is compared to last year.
<\/p>\n \nNow Ecclestone, who controlled the commercial rights to F1 between 1987-2017, has suggested that the new rules will cause ‘confusion’ for drivers and fans alike.
<\/p>\n \n“There will be confusion at the start of the season because everyone has to relearn Formula 1,” he told Sport.de<\/a>. “And the rules certainly don’t favour Max Verstappen and his style of driving. It’s less about racing. But that’s how things are developing: more regulations, more rules for the drivers, ‘don’t do this, don’t do that.'”
<\/p>\n \n“It’s a drivers’ world championship and not an engineers’,” Ecclestone continued. “Formula 1 is now competing more with Formula E. Maybe the fans like that, but I don’t think so.
<\/p>\n \n“The danger is that we’ll lose the fans. I sincerely hope I’m wrong.”
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