Problems on top of problems
In the first three races of the 2026 season, Formula 1 under the new technical regulations seems to have lost its original essence. The superclipping, which reduces top speeds by around 50 km/h on full-throttle straights, was already a problem. Add to that the software that “interprets” when drivers briefly lift off the throttle, autonomously deciding when to cut or give power, forcing drivers to endure sudden and unpredictable drops in acceleration.
The latest revelation, made clear by Ollie Bearman’s frightening incident at Suzuka—where he had to dodge Franco Colapinto’s Alpine during a phase of energy recovery—is that drivers are now afraid to defend their position on track.
Albon speaks out
Alex Albon shared this with the media, revealing that it has become a recurring topic of discussion during drivers’ briefings and even in their now-famous WhatsApp group chat. The Williams driver explained: “We talk about these things during drivers’ briefings—approach speeds, defensive maneuvers, positioning, and all that. Right now, it all feels really strange.”
The danger of defending
So why are drivers afraid? A legitimate defensive action—like changing trajectory mid-straight to protect the inside line into a braking zone—can turn into a dangerously risky move due to excessive power from the following car or, conversely, a sudden power cut from the car ahead. A collision with such a high speed delta could have tragic consequences.
“You want to defend yourself, but sometimes you’re worried about the car behind,” Alex Albon explained. “Maybe we just need to make SM mode—that’s when cars run with front and rear wings open—a bit more stable or less powerful. Something like that. Or maybe make it more like a normal DRS that you can control more easily.”
Essentially, F1 drivers are now forced to fear doing what they are paid to do: prevent opponents from overtaking. And it seems the only solution to this problem is… to bring back the wing modes that were intentionally removed by the current regulations. Curtain closed.
In summary, Alex Albon’s revelations highlight a significant disconnect between the 2026 technical vision and the practical reality of wheel-to-wheel combat. By creating a system where power delivery is disconnected from the driver’s immediate control, F1 has introduced a level of unpredictability that threatens the very essence of defensive driving. Resolving this “absurdity” will be the defining challenge for the sport’s technical directors as the championship progresses.
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