While many drivers and fans are criticizing the FIA for the current Formula 1 rules, George Russell has come to the defense of the world motorsport governing body
If you believe George Russell, then “no idiots” are making the decisions regarding the regulations in Formula 1 and the FIA. “They know what they’re doing, and the fans love the racing right now,” said the Mercedes driver. “Right or wrong, the racing has been really entertaining so far.”
So far, the 2026 Formula 1 regulations have been the subject of much discussion. For the Miami Grand Prix, some aspects of the engine were adjusted to improve safety and racing. Nevertheless, there remains a lot of skepticism among fans and drivers.
In contrast, George Russell emphasizes: “Of course, we’re the ones who have to drive the car in the end, but at the same time, we as drivers are very selfish,” Russell said ahead of the weekend. “The best, coolest, and fastest cars for the driver might not be the most exciting cars for the racing.”
Romanticized nostalgia among fans and drivers?
Russell cites the widely beloved V10 generation as an example: “If you take the V10 era of the early 2000s, that was probably an outstanding foundation for what a driver wants from a race car. But the races were boring, there were no overtaking maneuvers, and there weren’t that many fans following the sport.”
Formula 1 had already promoted the Australian Grand Prix with its abundance of overtaking maneuvers. At the same time, the impression persists in many quarters that this is an artificial form of racing.
Not least among the loudest critics of the regulations is Max Verstappen. FIA President Mohammed bin Sulayem had floated the idea of a possible comeback for V10 engines in early 2025.
Among the drivers, Russell is one of those who still praises the regulations the most. While Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton were full of praise for the narrower and more agile cars before the season or during the first race weekends, they too have since joined the ranks of critics of the new cars. Formula 1 legends such as Nigel Mansell have since echoed these sentiments.
In this context, there is discussion about the influence of the drivers. Verstappen noted in Miami, for example, that the FIA and Formula 1 could have avoided the current drama if they had responded to the drivers’ feedback earlier. Hamilton struck a similar note in Miami.