![\"Russell](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/XPB_1399899_HiRes-1.jpg\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGeorge Russell has accused Ferrari of being \u2018selfish\u2019 in not wanting to change the start procedure in China. Image: XPB Images<\/p>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGeorge Russell has accused Ferrari of being \u2018selfish\u2019 in not wanting to change the start procedure in China. Image: XPB Images<\/p>\n
Several teams have pushed for adjustments following chaotic scenes at the opening round of the 2026 season in Melbourne, where slow launches and near misses highlighted potential safety concerns under the sport\u2019s new regulations.<\/p>\n
The controversy centres around the behaviour of the new power units and battery management before the race start.<\/p>\n
Multiple drivers reported arriving on the grid with little electrical energy remaining after the formation lap, leaving them without electrical boost once the race began.<\/p>\n
One of the most dramatic moments came when Franco Colapinto narrowly avoided Liam Lawson\u2019s stationary Racing Bulls at the start of the Australian Grand Prix, raising alarm about the speed differentials between cars.<\/p>\n
George Russell claimed the FIA is willing to make changes to address the issue but cannot do so without the backing of a supermajority of teams \u2014 something he says is currently being blocked.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey could do [changes], I think they want to but they need a super majority from the teams which they don\u2019t have,\u201d Russell said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo you can probably guess which team is against that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Russell suggested Ferrari is among the teams resisting changes, arguing that those currently benefitting from stronger race starts are reluctant to alter the rules.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnfortunately, sometimes when you\u2019re trying to make changes for the good of the sport, if a team has a competitive edge \u2013 like Ferrari at the moment with the race starts \u2013 they wouldn\u2019t wish to see anything changing,\u201d Russell added.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think half the grid got caught out by a quirk in the rules for the race start in Melbourne.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Mercedes driver explained that the issue stemmed from the energy harvesting limit applied during the formation lap, which can affect drivers differently depending on where they start on the grid.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think there was an error that caught a lot of teams out, which was the harvest limit on the formation lap,\u201d Russell said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo a very quirky rule\u2026 every lap there\u2019s a harvest limit.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added that drivers starting further forward were already counted within that lap before crossing the start-finish line, meaning energy used during the formation lap contributed toward the limit.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo when I got halfway around the track, I could no longer charge the battery. I had no power to do proper burnouts.\u201d<\/p>\n
Russell said the FIA had explored removing the harvest limit to simplify the situation, but opposition from teams benefiting under the current system has prevented a change.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe FIA did just want to make our life easier and just remove this harvest limit,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut as often people have selfish views and they want to do what\u2019s best for themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen also acknowledged the issue, warning that starting with little battery energy could create dangerous situations if the problem persists.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are simple solutions, but they have to be approved by the FIA for everything related to the battery because, yes, starting with 0% battery is not much fun and also quite dangerous,\u201d Verstappen said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo we are discussing with them to see what can be done, because we saw in Melbourne we almost had a huge accident at the start.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite the debate, Russell believes teams will now be better prepared after experiencing the issue in Melbourne.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo as I said, half the grid messed up in Melbourne. We\u2019ll adjust.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know what we need to be wary of now.\u201d<\/p>\n
2026 F1 Chinese Grand Prix \u2013 Schedule, how to watch, TV times & more<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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