“It’s not the greatest thing ever, but I think everyone is trying to fix this problem. So yes, it’s probably going to be a bit more about how to manage the energy through the Esses and then deploy a bit more in the straights, something like that.<\/p>\n
“But guys, it’s not that we are driving sh*t cars, we are still driving rocket ships, don’t get me wrong.<\/p>\n
“It’s so much downforce, [even if it’s] not as much downforce as last year. The engine deployment is different but it’s still a very fast car. So, it’s definitely enjoyable to still drive at Suzuka.”<\/p>\n
![\"Gabriel](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1774526469_466_gabriel-bortoleto-audi-f1-team.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team<\/p>\n
Photo by: Andy Hone\/ LAT Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n
Haas’ Esteban Ocon<\/a> suggested the rule tweak would at least remove the need for lift and coast in his Ferrari-powered car. And he felt that the lower downforce and grip levels with the 2026-spec of cars would still mean the famous Degner complex will require bravery.<\/p>\n “We’re going to arrive quite slow into the corner, but you still don’t want to discharge too much in between the small straights and waste it,” the Frenchman explained. “So, with these cars, it’s still going to be bravery.<\/p>\n “Don’t take it as we are going to arrive so slow that it’s going to be easy in the corners. That’s not going to be the case at all, because there is a lot of power, it pushes [the car] a lot before and also the grip is quite a lot lower than it was last year.”<\/p>\n Speaking about his stint in Ferrari’s simulator, which was done before the rule tweak came out, Charles Leclerc<\/a> said: “My feedback was that it was quite a shame for Turn 8\/9, for also some of the corners which weren\u2019t really corners where we were pushing anymore, but more about energy management.<\/p>\n “However, it\u2019s going in the right direction, the changes that have been made since then. So, I hope it can bring back the character of these corners because that\u2019s what makes Suzuka so special and so enjoyable to drive.<\/p>\n “We shouldn\u2019t lose that, especially in qualifying when you really push the car to the limit. I really hope we have that once we get into the car tomorrow.”<\/p>\n Lando Norris, McLaren<\/p>\n Photo by: Steven Tee \/ LAT Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n![\"Lando](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1774526469_371_lando-norris-mclaren.jpg\")
<\/p>\n