First verdict given after crunch talks deliver 2026 F1 engine rule changes

Williams team principal James Vowles has branded the tweaks to the Formula 1 regulations for the 2026 season as a “sensible” move.

F1 bosses and governing body the FIA revealed a package of changes to the series’ much-maligned 2026 rules in a bid to produce more “flat-out” driving and address some key safety concerns.

The tweaks, which will mostly be introduced at the next race, the Miami Grand Prix on 3 May, should better allow drivers to push to the limit in qualifying and reduce the vast differences in closing speeds during races.

These modifications will be made to the way the engines operate by changing the energy harvesting and deployment limits, reducing the amount drivers are required to lift and coast.

In addition, changes to the start procedure will be trailed in Miami in an attempt to improve safety concerns after several near-misses when drivers have struggled to pull away from the grid this season.

Vowles was the first team principal to give his verdict to the changes, writing on social media: "These are sensible changes and the teams, FIA and Formula 1 have done good work over the past few weeks to agree them.

“F1 has seen some great racing so far this year but it is right that we always look at ways to keep improving. We look forward to seeing them in action from Miami onwards.”

Speaking prior to Monday’s crunch meeting, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff told media including Crash.net that F1 bosses would use “a scalpel rather than a baseball bat” in making changes to the rules.

"The discussions that have been taking place between the group of drivers, the FIA, Formula 1, and the teams have been constructive. And we all share the same objectives,” he said.

"It's how can we improve the product, make it out-and-out racing, and look at what can improve in terms of safety, but act with a scalpel and not with a baseball bat.

"So I think we are coming to good solutions that we are going to ratify hopefully today, in order to evolve, because it's only three races in.

"I am carefully optimistic that we're going to improve the racing, while keeping the racing really good.

"If you have aligned objectives, and you define those objectives at the beginning, and that is, how can we work on making qualifying more spectacular, enjoyable for the drivers? How can we tackle safety objectives? And at the same time, protect what's really good within the racing, the overtaking. And that's why those steps look like they are in the right direction.

"Not overshooting, not undershooting, but if you come to the conclusion further down the line, that we need to maybe redefine the objectives, then so be it. But at the moment, I think that's carved out in a pretty clear way, and that's good."