Sebastian Vettel says he hears and echoes the criticism of 2026 Formula 1 regulations

Vettel has always been an F1 purist and is knowledgeable in the history of the sport, with his famous radio message "bring back the F@cking V12s" after his Ferrari broke down in the 2019 Russian Grand Prix being a clear indication of his stance.

Speaking to Swedish broadcaster SVT, Vettel was asked about the criticism directed at the 2026 F1 rules by the drivers.

He said: “From a sporting side, I hear and echo the criticism, because the cars are probably fun to drive, but it is probably not so much fun to race because of the regulations and the difficulties that come with that.

“So, I sympathize with the drivers, and I am very critical not to lose the DNA and the heart of this sport, which is finding the fastest driver in the fastest machine to win the race," the German added.

The four-time F1 Champion was then quizzed about the regulation changes the FIA introduced ahead of the 2026 Miami Grand Prix.

“I have seen it briefly,” he responded. “I hope from a sporting point of view—that's what they are trying to address—it makes the drivers happier. Because ultimately, the drivers are the face of the sport.

"If they come out of the car and they are full of adrenaline and very excited, it's what makes people excited on the screens and in the stands as well," Vettel concluded.

Vettel has given an example of how simply F1 can be environmentally friendly when he took his personal Williams FW14B, the one in which Nigel Mansell won the 1992 Championship, for a few laps around Silverstone back in 2022 using carbon-neutral fuels, keeping in mind that the V10-powered Williams machine did not require any modifications.