Nigel Mansell has total sympathy with Max Verstappen and thinks Formula 1 chiefs are listening

1992 Formula 1 World Champion, Mansell, aligned himself with a growing chorus of concern after the opening three races exposed the impact of the new power unit regulations.

Drivers have been forced into energy management rather than flat-out racing, with lift-and-coast phases and large speed differentials defining the early part of the season.

Verstappen has labelled the situation “fundamentally flawed”, while Lando Norris has described the racing as “artificial”. The current power unit configuration, split roughly 50-50 between electric and combustion power, has forced drivers to ease off early to recharge energy, fundamentally changing how races are driven.

Speaking at the opening of the Silverstone Pop-Up Hotel, Mansell made it clear he fully agrees with the drivers’ stance while questioning the 'racing' being witnessed: “I've got to echo and support the drivers 100%.

"It's very disappointing to have the stallion of all racing cars, Formula 1, appearing in the first races that they're not actually racing at times. That's very alien to the fans, certainly alien to a race car driver who's trying to input their special skills into it.

"I have total sympathy with Max. Would I have voiced it as strong as he has? Perhaps not...but you know, what Lando says is perfect. What all the others have said is true. And I think the powers that be, they're listening," Mansell told reporters.

The FIA has already begun responding after the opening phase of the season triggered widespread concern across the paddock, with multiple meetings scheduled to address the unintended consequences of the current regulations.

A first meeting of technical experts has already taken place, with further sessions planned ahead of the next race in Miami. The governing body is now working through potential adjustments to the energy management requirements that have forced drivers into lift-and-coast racing and compromised wheel-to-wheel action.

A Sporting Regulations meeting is set for Wednesday, followed by another technical session on Thursday, before a high-level stakeholder meeting on April 20 aimed at reaching consensus on possible changes. The urgency reflects how quickly the issue has escalated within the sport.

Mansell warned that the situation must be corrected before it becomes entrenched: “Hopefully, they will tweak it enough (so) that what we've been witnessing in the first couple of races won't be carried forward into the next races.

“Let Formula 1 be Formula 1 as it has been. It just needs tweaking. As long as they tweak it enough, happy days," Mansell concluded.

Formula 1 is on an enforced break as races in Bahrain and Saudi had fallen off the calendar due to war in the region. Next up is the Miami Grand Prix next month, now Round 5 of the 2026 F1 World Championship.