F1 Q&A: Comparing Lando Norris & Oscar Piastri, Insights on Max Verstappen, Ferrari, Mercedes & 2026 Regulations

Why does it always feel like F1 decides to shake things up just when the racing starts getting good? Like, seriously, every time we think we’ve hit a groove, bam—new rules. The 2026 changes? It’s like rolling dice. Some teams will crush it; others, not so much. Keep things steady, I’d say. Then we can really see who’s the best, without all the curveballs. But hey, that’s just me rambling.

F1 and its rule-changing spree, eh? It’s kind of baked into the whole sport. Every so often, they throw in some new regulation twist. Sometimes it’s because someone up top decides things are getting sketchy. Remember when cars were, like, rocket fast back in the early ’80s? Then Senna—tragic, honestly—in ’94. Those times pushed them to tip the balance back to safety.

But why else do they change the rules? Maybe they got bored with refueling—gone by 2010—or suddenly wanted faster cars. In 2017, the cars widened up. Like someone’s fashion sense evolving overnight.

Engines? Those get a makeover too, for different reasons each time. This time around, it’s the engines taking center stage. F1 wants to be the cool kid on the block—to charm new manufacturers. They brainstormed with industry folks and voila, 2026 rules were born. What’s the change? They stick with those 1.6-litre V6 turbo hybrids but toss out the MGU-H. It’s like cleaning out a cluttered garage—simpler, no more headaches over turbo energy stuff.

And now, half the engine power’s zapping from electricity. Plus, sustainable fuel’s on the menu. It’s got a certain cool factor. Audi’s all in—mission accomplished, I guess. Porsche ghosted, but Ford’s back with Red Bull. Honda thought they’d hit the exit but they’re sticking around. GM’s diving in too, though their engine’s fashionably late till 2029.

The chassis tweaks were already brewing, thanks to hiccups with those 2022 ground-effect rules. But the engine redo compounded the need for more changes. Fun times, right? Energy recovery for batteries—turns out, it’s not a walk in the park. So, they played around with aerodynamics. Faster on straights, sticking to braking zones like gum on a shoe.

They’re still hashing out details. No major rule overturn expected, but there’s chatter about limiting electrical juice in races. A few folks are pushing for it, but a blocking majority says, “Nah.”

Sure, new rules are like opening Pandora’s box. Some might think it opens the field up, and later it all might snug up again. But look at it this way: a shake-up can make things spicy. Keeps us on our toes. And maybe—just maybe—that’s a good thing. Or maybe I’m just wandering off here. Who knows.