FIA moves to fix F1 2026 rules as rivals block Ferrari test

SUZUKA — The paddock chatter surrounding a potential Ferrari-orchestrated test at Monza is already fading, extinguished by a combination of rival opposition and a fresh regulatory intervention from the FIA aimed at Formula 1’s embattled 2026 power unit regulations.

The unexpected cancellation of the Gulf races in April carved out a rare gap in the calendar, fueling speculation that Ferrari could utilize the window for additional track running, potentially extending an invitation to other outfits to share the data. However, that prospect now appears increasingly remote.

When asked about the forthcoming hiatus, Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur acknowledged the importance of the downtime, albeit without committing to a formal test. “After this race, we also have a month in Maranello, which will be important to analyse the data collected from the first three races and continue to develop the car in the right direction,” Vasseur said.

While Monza was floated as a logical venue—given the circuit’s proximity to the Scuderia’s headquarters—the idea has failed to gain traction. Sources indicate that Mercedes, currently wielding a dominant position in the pecking order, along with Aston Martin, Williams, and McLaren, are reluctant to green-light additional running that could upset the competitive equilibrium.

FIA Intervenes with Qualifying Tweaks

As the debate over testing faded, attention shifted to the regulatory fixes required to salvage the spectacle of the new power unit era. Following extensive dialogue with teams and manufacturers, the FIA confirmed on Thursday a targeted adjustment to energy management protocols, specifically for qualifying at Suzuka.

In a move designed to curb excessive harvesting and mitigate the lift-and-coast phenomenon that has plagued the season’s opening rounds, the maximum permitted energy recharge has been reduced from 9 megajoules to 8. The change aims to allow drivers to push flat-out during qualifying laps without being artificially hindered by energy constraints.

“This adjustment reflects feedback from drivers and teams,” the FIA stated, “who have emphasised the importance of maintaining qualifying as a performance challenge.”

The governing body added that further discussions are already on the horizon, signaling that this is merely the first step in an ongoing effort to refine the sport’s controversial new technical regulations.

Verstappen’s Blunt Assessment Echoes Through the Paddock

Among the most vocal critics of the current trajectory has been Max Verstappen. While the quadruple world champion remained unfazed by the latest regulatory tweaks, he continued to expand his extracurricular racing portfolio, having spent time earlier in the week testing a Red Bull-liveried Super GT Nissan at Fuji.

Aston Martin simulator driver Dani Juncadella, who shares a GT3 lineup with Verstappen on the Nordschleife, offered insight into the Dutchman’s unwavering stance on F1’s current direction.

“He’s been very blunt in his statements,” Juncadella told Diario Sport. “Since preseason, he’s been telling us that things were looking very bad, and he was absolutely right.”

Juncadella warned that the current regulatory framework risks reducing drivers to mere system managers rather than pure competitors.

“There were moments where overtaking happened in places where it wasn’t usually possible,” he explained. “But if you scratch the surface, it’s because the engine is clipping.

“They overtake, but not because of driver skill. Now they’re acting more like managers than drivers.”