Carlos Sainz disagrees with Lewis Hamilton that the new Formula 1 regulations are overly complicated. The seven-time world champion called the 2026 rulebook ‘ridiculously complex’ after his first test laps in Bahrain. According to Sainz, the new rules simply demand a bit more creativity in overtaking strategy: ‘I don’t think the problem is that big.’
The new Formula 1 season hasn’t even started, yet the brand-new cars are already a hot topic in the paddock. Max Verstappen was critical of the new cars during the Bahrain test days — the Dutchman even labelled them ‘Formula E on steroids’ — while Charles Leclerc also reported a lack of driving pleasure in the SF-26. According to his team-mate Lewis Hamilton, the regulations were also far too difficult to understand. ‘You almost need a diploma to understand it all,’ the world champion even said.
Carlos Sainz, however, doesn’t agree with his successor at Ferrari on that point. “I don’t have a degree. I only finished secondary school, but I understand everything well,” the Spaniard told the media. “The fact that, compared with before, you have to be a bit more creative with new overtaking strategies has always been obvious to me. I don’t think the problem is as big as they’ve made us believe.”
The chairman of the drivers’ union then explained why he prefers to discuss any issues privately with those in charge rather than publicly criticise the sport. “I’m in favour of criticising the people responsible in private and telling them what I do or don’t like. I’d rather not start publicly criticising my sport, because that creates a vicious circle and then everyone, even journalists, begins to criticise. I prefer to wait and only pass judgement after four or five races.”
Flexibility
Sainz had already urged his fellow drivers to give the new rules a chance. He also asks the FIA and FOM for “flexibility.” “Generally, I think my message to FOM and FIA is that at the start of the year we should remain a little open to adjustments concerning the regulations around energy management. That’s my only message. I think we should stay flexible instead of sticking rigidly to a certain level of energy management.”
F1 calendar for 2026
