Oscar Piastri has issued a clear warning to the FIA, calling for a review of the 2026 Formula 1 regulations following the first insights from pre-season testing in Bahrain. According to the McLaren driver, the current technical setup could turn into a real “recipe for disaster” when all 22 cars are on track together.
The Australian driver’s concerns stem from the characteristics of the new cars, including more unpredictable aerodynamics and a strong reliance on energy management, a direct consequence of the 50/50 split between electric power and internal combustion engines. Both factors, according to several drivers, make the cars significantly harder to control, especially in traffic conditions during races.
Oscar Piastri’s words are echoed within the McLaren team itself. Team Principal Andrea Stella emphasized that it is “imperative” for the FIA to address issues such as race starts and overtaking, two critical elements of the new regulations. According to Stella, the goal is to find a compromise already at the next F1 Commission meeting.
Piastri’s concerns
“I think it’s all simply very complex,” Oscar Piastri said, sharing his concerns about the new 2026 regulations. “There are many things we’ve never had to do before, and they are challenging by their very nature. Some of these rules are not instinctive at all, especially after driving a certain way for the past 15 years.”
“It’s quite difficult to unlearn certain habits, particularly when they involve lifting off the throttle on straights or doing things that, as a driver, you obviously would prefer not to do under any circumstances. Ultimately, these are slower cars, with less aerodynamic downforce and probably more power on corner exit, so they will always be difficult and complicated to drive. That’s one aspect, and then there are all the new elements that require review.”
Building on Andrea Stella’s comments as a foundation, Oscar Piastri highlighted the importance of having a greater number of testing sessions in 2026. These sessions are considered essential not only for refining performance but also for improving safety aspects, which he still considers “borderline.”
“I think race starts are probably the most obvious issue at the moment. Overtaking, on the other hand, will always be difficult to assess until an actual race is held. And whether or not we use the straight-line mode at the start, having a group of 22 cars with a couple of hundred points of aerodynamic downforce less really seems like a recipe for disaster,” the Australian concluded.
Oscar Piastri’s “recipe for disaster” comment serves as a sobering reality check amidst the excitement of a new technical era. While F1 fans are eager to see the 2026 cars in action, the drivers are clearly worried that the thrill of the chase is being compromised by unnatural driving techniques and potential safety hazards on the grid. If the FIA doesn’t heed the warnings from the McLaren camp before the season opener in Melbourne, the first race of the new era could be remembered more for its chaotic start than its competitive racing.
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