George Russell reveals “two headline points” F1 drivers want from rule changes

George Russell has revealed the “two headline points” at the top of agenda that Formula 1 drivers want changed amid talks to tweak the much-maligned 2026 rules.

F1 stakeholders, including governing body the FIA, the 11 teams and their power unit manufacturer representatives are holding a series of meeting throughout April to come up with solutions to improve the 2026 regulations following heavy criticism from the drivers.

Ollie Bearman’s terrifying 50G crash at the Japanese Grand Prix highlighted a problem many drivers had predicted after raising concerns about huge differences in closing speeds between cars this season. 

Speaking to media including Crash.net on Friday, Russell, a Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA) director, pinpointed that vast closing speeds and removing the need for lift and coasting during qualifying laps are the two major tweaks drivers are seeking.

“I think there's been some very positive conversations with the FIA and everybody's aligned on what we're trying to achieve. So I'm looking forward to seeing that come to fruition from Miami onwards,” the Mercedes driver said.

"I think the two headline points are flat-out qualifying, so no lift and coast, and then reducing the closing speeds. The closing speed of the Bearman-Colapinto crash was two-fold.

"Bearman was on his boost button and giving himself 350kw, so he had an abundance of power in an abnormal part of the track. On the flip side, Colapinto used his boost on the main straight, half a lap before, and was low on his battery, so he had a lack of power.

“So that is, at least in my eyes, where these closing speed differences are coming from. And I think the FIA are definitely very much aware of that, and from the driver's perspective, just looking to reduce that closing speed in abnormal areas, and especially in non-SM modes.

“If there's a straight that isn't an SM mode, that means it's because it's a corner. And, of course, the Bearman crash was in a non-SM part of the track. So I think we're all aligned on those points.”

Russell acknowledged there will be “compromises” as a result of any tweaks, such as slower overall lap times.

“There will be a compromise somewhere because right now the cars are set-up to produce the fastest lap times possible, which is leading to this lift-and-coast driving style and a bit of energy management here and there,” the Briton explained.

“But there's a lot of low-hanging fruit. For example, the minus 350 kilowatts super clip is a no-brainer. And that already in itself is going to avoid a lot of lift-and-coast, having the minus 350 kilowatt super clip.

“And there's other small parts of the regulation that say you can only derate the engine at a certain rate. So on a very short straight, there isn't enough time to go from 350 kilowatts to a super clip because the straight is too short. Some small changes around these regulations will have a major improvement for the overall sort of driving experience.

“This break has offered a good opportunity for everyone to go around that loop. The FIA have been in a lot of comms with a handful of drivers, and that's been sort of collective. At least from the FIA technical standpoint, it's probably the closest relationship we've had with them in numerous years. So that's very positive to see.”