F1 Drivers Still Matter in 2026 Rules

Formula 1's new rules for 2026 have sparked debate about whether driver skill still matters, with champions like Max Verstappen calling the new cars 'not Formula 1' and Lewis Hamilton deeming them 'ridiculously complex'. However, after pre-season testing in Bahrain, drivers confirmed they're still operating at the limit of grip.

Drivers including George Russell and Oliver Bearman emphasized that while energy management with the new hybrid engines is challenging, faster drivers still beat slower ones. The reduced downforce means less grip, but drivers adapt their approach to corners that were previously grip-limited, now becoming power-limited areas where skill continues to make the difference.