Formula One drivers back safety rule tweaks but seek broader changes

LONDON: Formula One drivers on Thursday broadly supported recent rule adjustments introduced on safety grounds, but said further steps were needed to improve racing at this weekend’s Miami Grand Prix.

Speaking at an official news conference, most drivers said the revisions to levels of super-clipping and battery power harvesting should help reduce risks, though they were not expected to significantly change the overall spectacle in the sport’s new hybrid era.

The debate follows this season’s introduction of a 50-50 split between battery power and traditional engine power as Formula One seeks to make the sport greener. A number of drivers believe the balance should shift more towards engine power and away from battery use.

Drivers welcome safety response

McLaren driver Oscar Piastri said the changes were a constructive outcome of discussions between drivers and the sport’s authorities, but indicated that the main issues could not be fully resolved without major changes to the power-unit hardware.

He said it was positive that the rules had been adjusted to lessen the large difference in performance and speed between cars running at full power and those slowing to recover and store battery energy. Referring to Haas driver Oliver Bearman’s crash in Japan, from which he escaped serious injury, Piastri said, "Ater Olly's crash, something needed to change and it is good that they listened to us".

He added "The tweaks are good, and sensible and well thought out so it is a positive thing, but let's wait and see how it pans out from a safety point of view".

Many drivers had been concerned that a similar accident could happen again after the Japan incident.

Verstappen calls for greater driver input

Four-time world champion Max Verstappen, who has struggled this season, said recent meetings with Formula One and the FIA had at least opened a path for future discussion.

Verstappen, who had previously been among the strongest critics of this season’s changes, said "The positive thing is that we had some nice meetings with F1 and the FIA and I think that's probably a starting point for the future even if there is time for that or maybe I'm not here anymore".

He also said "I really hope that the driver have more input to the organisers in general because most drivers have a good understanding and a good feel of what is needed to make F1 a good product, a fun product".

He added "At the end of the day, it's a very complex and political sport, but at least I think everyone has tried their best to do something — but, of course, it won't change the world!"

Verstappen had accused Formula One of losing its identity and had suggested he was considering his future in the sport if no action was taken to preserve what he saw as its heritage as an all-out test of power and speed for drivers and machines.

Mixed views on the new formula

Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll was the most critical voice, describing the new formula as fundamentally flawed and saying it was a thousand times less enjoyable than Formula Three.

Others struck a more measured tone. Audi’s Nico Hulkenberg said,

"It's a step in the right direction". He added, "I'm curious to see how it feels and works on track now."

Drivers and observers have also criticised the current formula for creating racing "they see as artificial, shaped heavily by computer systems and the need to manage battery power.

While the latest changes have been welcomed as a response to immediate safety concerns, several drivers made clear they do not believe the adjustments alone will resolve wider concerns about the quality of racing under the current regulations.