McLaren is calling for a change in regulations for safety reasons

Following the first round of official tests held in Bahrain and just a few weeks before the start of the 2026 season scheduled for March 8 in Melbourne, Australia, Andrea Stella, team principal McLaren, calls the F1 to adapt its rules, particularly regarding departure.

As part of the regulatory changes, drivers must now contend with a 50% electric powertrain. The removal of the MGU-H, which used the heat generated by the internal combustion engine to keep the turbocharger spinning, significantly complicates the starting sequence. Drivers must now rev the engine by pressing the accelerator, a process that can take up to ten seconds according to initial observations in Bahrain. However, the last cars to line up on the grid may not have enough time before the lights go out. This time is necessary to spool up the turbocharger and thus eliminate the "turbo lag" phenomenon.

« We need to ensure that the race start procedure allows all cars to have their engines ready to start, because the starting grid is not the place where we want to see cars slowing down as they leave their positions. Andrea Stella warns. This is a more important issue than any competitive interest. I therefore believe that all teams and the FIA ​​must act responsibly when it comes to what is necessary. »

A sentiment shared by its pilot Oscar piastri. « It is quite difficult today to ensure a safe start, let alone a competitive one. explains the Australian. This could be likened to a race of F2where we would almost be in anti-stall mode. We wouldn't just lose about five meters, but six or seven places if things go wrong. »

Towards a change in the starting procedure in F1?

The FIA ​​could therefore decide to introduce a minimum delay between the alignment of the last car on the starting grid and the lighting of the first starting light. Another option: the regulations could be adapted to allow the use of electric power below the current 50 km/h threshold to permit its use at the start of the race. Otherwise, the risk of pile-ups with cars that have had false starts would be very high.

According to information from The RaceFrédéric Vasseur, director of Scuderia Ferrari, had warned several months in advance about the need for such a change, but his warnings had gone unheeded. The engineers of Maranello They reportedly set about creating an engine better suited to a short starting sequence, in accordance with the new regulations. While other manufacturers were said to have addressed the issue later, Ferrari is believed to have vetoed any changes to the starting procedure, arguing that these constraints were known to manufacturers during the engine design phase.

Another sensitive point: the " lift and coast This technique, which involves lifting off the accelerator to recharge the battery – on which the engine's power depends – could lead to significant speed differences, especially in tight packs. This might not be an ideal situation when you're following closely, and it can lead to racing situations like those we've already seen several times with Webber in Valencia, [Riccardo] Patrese in Portugal, and a few others that we certainly don't want to see again in Formula 1. " recalls the leader of the Papays.

The FIA ​​F1 Commission meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, February 18, could therefore prove decisive, as these topics should logically be on the agenda.

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