As the final pre-season test kicked off in Bahrain, a sharp divide has emerged over Formula 1’s radical 2026 rule changes.
While Lewis Hamilton praised the new cars as “more fun” to drive, rivals Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso have slammed the regulations as “Formula E on steroids.”
Lewis Hamilton welcomed the reduced downforce, noting the cars are “easier to correct” and more engaging to handle than the “on-edge” models of 2025.
Meanwhile, Max Verstappen criticized the heavy energy management required by the new hybrid engines, arguing the lack of grip makes the cars “hard to manage.”
Also Fernando Alonso warned that driver skill matters less under the new rules, as lap times are now dictated by energy deployment strategy rather than raw cornering speed.
Despite the controversy, George Russell put Mercedes at the top of the Wednesday timesheet, narrowly beating McLaren’s Oscar Piastri by 0.01 seconds.
While paddock rumors suggest Mercedes holds a slim lead, Aston Martin continues to struggle, with both car and engine recognized as being off the pace.
The season officially begins at the Australian Grand Prix on March 6-8.
