F1 race winner claims driver skill is being overlooked amid rules "negativity"

Pierre Gasly says there’s “too much negativity” around the ongoing debate over the 2026 Formula 1 regulations, and suggests that it’s taking away from the input of the drivers.

The radical changes to the power unit regulations for 2026 have been met with widespread backlash from fans and drivers, with many branding racing "artificial" and suggesting overtaking is too easy because it's now about how much battery you have left to deploy.

The FIA and relevant stakeholders are due to hold meetings in April about potential rule changes to combat this, particularly in the wake of the 50G incident involving Ollie Bearman and Franco Colapinto at the Japanese Grand Prix.

Pierre Gasly insists he “believes” in F1 and trusts the main stakeholders to make the correct decisions when tweaks are being discussed in the coming weeks.

Gasly showed how well he has adapted to the new cars by qualifying seventh at Suzuka and holding onto the position in the race, despite strong pressure from Max Verstappen.

However, he feels that the ongoing discussions about the role of energy management are blurring the fact that drivers still have to find the limit in most areas of the lap.

“I think honestly I find there is a bit too much negativity around it, and I don't like that,” he said when asked by Crash.net about potential tweaks to the rules.

“Because I really think that we take still too much away from the drivers.

"When you're driving in the sector one and you've got a certain grip, it doesn't really matter the battery all these things, you've still got to be at the limit of the grip you get given.

“But yeah, I definitely I agree with what others are feeling, the straight, the battery management, etc.

"As I say, I believe in F1. I think we all agree, we all see the same stuff. We all speak the same language. We all want the sport to be as good as it can be, and I'm sure we'll do what's best.”

Regarding the vast closing speed difference that led to Bearman’s crash in the race he said: “It's something which is quite new this year. We didn't have that in the past, and between power units there's quite different strategies.

“I think we all agree the whole thing is a bit of a review. And I'm sure that with four or five weeks’ break everyone's going to make the best of it to try to get F1 in a better shape."