![\"Ex-F1](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/XPB_1408545_HiRes.jpg\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDerek Daly fears real racers like Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen could be lost to the sport under the new regulations. 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\tDerek Daly fears real racers like Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen could be lost to the sport under the new regulations. Image: XPB Images<\/p>\n
Speaking to Speedcafe, Daly said he was concerned the heavier reliance on battery management and energy deployment had fundamentally changed the nature of F1 driving.<\/p>\n
The 73-year-old, who competed in 49 grands prix between 1978 and 1982 for teams including Williams, Tyrrell and March, admitted he remained \u201cold school\u201d in his view of what F1 drivers should be rewarded for behind the wheel.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the greatest joys for me was to see Ricciardo outbreak somebody from half a mile behind because he had that gift,\u201d Daly said.<\/p>\n
\u201cRicciardo might not make it in Formula 1 today because they\u2019ve taken away the element of a racing driver that he was.\u201d<\/p>\n
The 2026 regulations introduced sweeping technical changes<\/a> focused around increased electrical deployment, active aerodynamics and energy harvesting, creating a style of racing that has divided opinion throughout the opening rounds of the season.<\/p>\n Drivers have frequently been forced into lift-and-coast techniques and battery management battles, producing what many have described as \u2018yo-yo\u2019 racing as rivals repeatedly exchange positions down straights.<\/p>\n Verstappen has emerged as one of the most vocal critics of the new era<\/a>, previously describing the racing as \u201cplaying Mario Kart\u201d and claiming \u201cthis is not racing.\u201d<\/p>\n Daly said he agreed with the concerns being raised by the four-time world champion, particularly around the way the new cars had altered driver technique.<\/p>\n \u201cI saw Peter Windsor do an amazing piece about they\u2019ve neutralised Verstappen and [Charles] Leclerc\u2019s high speed turning ability with the car that\u2019s loose and on the edge of taking that away,\u201d Daly explained.<\/p>\n \u201cSo I hate that. I want them to bring that back.\u201d<\/p>\n While Daly said he supported F1\u2019s move towards greater electrical power, he questioned the way the current regulations generated and deployed energy.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m okay with electrical power, but I\u2019m not okay with how they generate it at the moment,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n The FIA has already moved to revise elements of the regulations after widespread criticism during the opening races of the season, introducing mid-season changes before the Miami Grand Prix<\/a> aimed at reducing excessive energy harvesting and improving safety.<\/p>\n Further changes have already been approved in principle for 2027<\/a>, including reducing battery deployment and increasing internal combustion engine output following complaints from drivers and teams.<\/p>\n