Bernie Ecclestone delivers F1 2026 warning amid rare Lewis Hamilton backing

Bernie Ecclestone fears Formula 1 is in danger of losing fans as a result of its new regulations.

The 2026 F1 season gets underway next weekend with the Australian Grand Prix after what has been dubbed as being the biggest regulation shake-up in history.

F1’s new cars are smaller and lighter and feature new engines that have a near 50-50 split between combustion and battery power. The new power unit rules convinced Audi, Ford and General Motors to enter the world championship, and Honda to return, but have been widely criticised.

Drivers will have to manage energy throughout a lap and lift and coast in order to keep their batteries topped up.

Red Bull’s four-time world champion Max Verstappen has made several disparaging comments about F1’s 2026 rules, labelling the new cars “not a lot of fun” to drive and “like Formula E on steroids”.

Former F1 supremo Ecclestone has waded into the debate and echoed Verstappen’s concerns.

“There will be confusion at the start of the season because everyone has to relearn Formula 1,” the 95-year-old told RTL/ntv and sport.de.

“The rules certainly don’t favour Max Verstappen and his style of driving. It’s less about racing. But that’s how things are developing: more regulations, more rules for the drivers, don’t do this, don’t do that.

“The ‘DNA’ of Formula One is that ‘it’s a drivers’ world championship and not an engineers’. Formula One is now competing more with Formula E. Maybe the fans like that, but I don’t think so.

“The danger is that we’ll lose the fans. I sincerely hope I’m wrong.”

Rare Lewis Hamilton backing

Ecclestone believes Mercedes and George Russell are in the best position heading into the new season, but also suggested Ferrari could be in the mix at the front of the grid.

In a rare backing of Lewis Hamilton, Ecclestone suggested it would be a “great story” if the seven-time world champion could end Ferrari’s near-two-decade wait for a world title.

“Watch out for Ferrari,” Ecclestone added. “I hope Ferrari has a say in the matter. Formula One would benefit if Ferrari became world champion. Lewis doesn’t want to give up, doesn’t want to stop without having achieved it. 

"Maybe it will work out this year. That would be a great story.”