Andrea Stella says FIA, Formula 1 must be willing to fix 2026 rules issues

With the new power units now more dependent on electric power, drivers will have to manage their cars differently so they do not run out of grunt over the course of a lap, as it is now clear that batteries will not be able to cope with power requirements, with the severity of such an issue varying from one track to another.

That is something F1 drivers have not been happy about, as they expressed their dissent, with four-time Champion Max Verstappen the most vocal.

The season-opening race in Melbourne, the 2026 Australian Grand Prix, will be the first serious test for the new formula and its power units, as the Albert Park track has a high power requirement, which is a fact Stella recently pointed out.

He now adds: “The new era of Formula 1 represents a challenge that is as exciting as it is complex, because we have perhaps never had such a significant change all at once, at least not in this century.

"Perhaps there are still some details that can be ironed out to ensure that the spectacle on track lives up to the popularity our sport has achieved, that it is easily understandable to all fans—not only die-hard fans but also those who approach it more casually—and that it remains a competition in which the fastest cars and drivers compete.

"It will be interesting to see what happens in the first few races. There needs to be a willingness to intervene and correct any problems with an open-minded, non-dogmatic attitude," he insisted.

However, the Italian is relieved by the approach from FOM and the governing body towards sorting out the issues facing the sport in its new era.

He said: "We have been pleased to see how all the stakeholders—the FIA, F1, and the other teams—have been working to address these issues in a constructive spirit and with the awareness that the interests of the sport are more important than those of individuals." (Reporting by Agnes Carlier)