Source:REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov
[Saba Sports News] The new regulations for the 2026 season have not only sparked dissatisfaction among many drivers, but also drew strong criticism from former Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko. He believes that while data shows there were 120 overtakes during the Australian Grand Prix, these overtakes are not true overtakes in the traditional sense.
In Marko’s view, many of the so-called overtakes in that race were merely position exchanges driven by the energy systems. He pointed out that the battle between drivers often depends on the battery charge at the time, rather than the traditional means of overtaking by braking later or taking corners faster. Marko specifically mentioned a situation he finds hard to accept—drivers having to lift off the throttle on the straights to manage their energy systems. In his opinion, this is difficult to reconcile with F1’s traditions and does not align with the sport’s pursuit of speed. Despite this, Marko still believes that the new rules need time to be validated.
The editor thinks that Marko’s criticism reflects the commitment of a generation of F1 veterans to the essence of the sport. His perspective is not isolated; it resonates with current champions like Max Verstappen, revealing the tension between technological innovation and competitive purity in the new rules. Although the FIA emphasizes the necessity of an adjustment period and has stated it would make minor tweaks to the regulations, finding balance among environmental concerns, cost control, and spectator appeal remains a core challenge for F1 in the coming years.