New rules get unique praise: ‘It feels like the good cars from 2016’

Haas’ Esteban Ocon says 2026’s controversial Formula 1 machinery feels “like the good cars of 2016” as they are “a lot nicer in terms of balance”.

F1’s radical regulations overhaul has so far been met with criticism from drivers and fans alike, particularly the 50/50 power unit split between electrical energy and combustion.

Reigning world champion Lando Norris said last week in Australia that F1 had gone “from the best cars, to the worst cars”, while Max Verstappen quipped on Thursday in China that he had been using Mario Kart to prepare for the race.

But there have been some who have offered more positive outlooks on the current machinery.

On Thursday, Haas driver Esteban Ocon said the new cars feel like 2016 machinery in how they handle in the corners, while branding the increase in action in Australia as “positive”.

“I think the positive is how the car feels in corners,” he said.

“I think this is much more back to how it was probably like 2016, like the good cars in 2016, like the top cars.

“Definitely, the way you slide, the way you can attack the corners, it’s much more predictable and a lot nicer in terms of balance and also in terms of how the car rides overall.

“So, to me that is a step forward to last year. Then the other positive in the race is that there was, even if they were chaotic, more action.

“There was more overtaking, more fight wheel-to-wheel throughout the race, which was definitely positive. Is it straightforward in the car? No.

“Can the driver make enough of a difference as a driving style to be able to make like chess moves? No.

“And this is probably the negative at the moment. But I think overall that would probably improve throughout the year, and if that improves, it should be much more enjoyable.”

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc noted earlier on Thursday that he enjoyed his battle with Australian Grand Prix winner George Russell in Melbourne, despite complaints that it was artificial due to the energy harvesting at play.

With energy levels boosted for this weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix, there is expected to be less of the maligned ‘superclipping’ seen in Australia.

The FIA also revealed last weekend that it will evaluate potential changes to the regulations surrounding energy deployment following the Shanghai event.