2016 champion Nico Rosberg has downplayed criticism of F1 2026\u2019s \u201cMario Kart\u201d \u2013 after all, it has delivered a few good fights at the sharp end of the field.<\/p>\n
Formula 1\u2019s new regulations, especially the new engine formula, has divided not only fans but also the paddock.<\/p>\n
Nico Rosberg defends F1 2026 racing quality despite \u2018Mario Kart\u2019 criticism<\/p>\n
Want more PlanetF1.com coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google<\/a> to your favourites list for news you can trust<\/p>\n Adopting a new greener formula with a 50\/50 split between electrical and combustion power, energy management has become the name of the game.<\/p>\n And not just in grands prix, but in qualifying\u2019s single flying lap.<\/p>\n Harvesting battery power down the straight or through corners that used to be flat-out, super clipping \u2013 when the hybrid system siphons off power from the internal combustion engine to charge the battery when the driver is at full throttle \u2013 has become the norm.<\/p>\n The majority of the drivers hate it. Especially in qualifying.<\/p>\n Even those at the front of the field.<\/p>\n Dubbed \u201cMario Kart\u201d by Max Verstappen and a \u201cf**king joke\u201d by Charles Leclerc, some drivers are not enjoying the new regulations.<\/p>\n Views on F1 regulations<\/p>\n Fastest drivers such as Max Verstappen struggling in F1 2026? Jean Alesi weighs in<\/a><\/p>\n Lewis Hamilton explains why he is enjoying F1 2026 amid Max Verstappen frustration<\/a><\/p>\n But it has yielded some of the best racing F1 has seen in years.<\/p>\n Whether one considers it artificial passes or not, all three grands prix \u2013 Australia, China and Japan \u2013 have seen several passes for the lead in wheel-to-wheel action.<\/p>\n 2016 champ Rosberg says that outweighs the criticism.<\/p>\n He told Bloomberg: \u201cThere is a lot of criticism at the moment because you can see like at the last race, they go down the straight through a flat out bend, and have to downshift after the bend while still on the straight because the battery power switches off.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, from a spectator\u2019s point of view, it can be a bit awkward when you\u2019re supposed to be going flat out with the highest-performing F1 car. <\/p>\n \u201cNevertheless, I am easy-going on that, from my point of view, as long as there are great battles between teams and other teams.\u201d<\/p>\n Australia alone saw nine passes in the first 15 laps before Mercedes put an end to Ferrari\u2019s challenge.<\/p>\n And while the Brackley squad has won all three grands prix, the first two in 1-2 results, Ferrari has brought the fight to Mercedes with McLaren also involved in Japan.<\/p>\n As such, Mercedes lead the championship on 135 points, Ferrari is in second second place, 45 points behind, with McLaren in third.<\/p>\n Want to be the first to know exclusive information from the F1 paddock? Join our broadcast channel on WhatsApp<\/a> to get the scoop on the latest developments from our team of accredited journalists.<\/p>\n You can also subscribe to the PlanetF1 YouTube channel<\/a> for exclusive features, hear from our paddock journalists with stories from the heart of Formula 1 and much more!<\/p>\n