Vasseur rejects start tweaks
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur publicly opposed proposed F1 start-procedure changes, arguing teams built cars to current regulations and a sudden rule tweak would be unfair ( ). His comments add pressure to F1 chiefs as they juggle rule stability with fan and competitor complaints in the new 2026 era (x.com).
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur told media “enough is enough” while publicly rejecting fresh calls to alter the start sequence introduced for 2026. (skysports.com) (skysports.com ) Vasseur said Ferrari had flagged start-related risks to the FIA well before the season, claiming the team warned regulators about turbo-spool and energy-management problems in 2025. (motorsport.com) (motorsport.com ) Technical changes under the 2026 power-unit rules — including the removal of the MGU‑H and a much larger role for the MGU‑K — mean drivers must now manage turbo spool and battery state over roughly a 10‑second pre‑launch window. (corp.formula1.com) (corp.formula1.com the-race.com ) The FIA confirmed it will trial a tweaked start sequence — adding a pre‑start warning and longer timing — during the second Bahrain pre‑season test, with the plan to replicate the trials at the Australian round if needed. (formula1.com) (formula1.com motorsport.com ) On‑track incidents in the opening rounds have underlined the debate: Charles Leclerc’s launch from P4 into the lead at the Australian GP and Lewis Hamilton’s fast getaway in Shanghai that briefly reshuffled the front three both highlighted sensitivity of 2026 starts. (formula1.com) (formula1.com formula1.com ) FIA single‑seater director Nikolas Tombazis has acknowledged the rules are not sacrosanct and said the governing body is open to “further refinement” if safety or competition balance requires it. (planetf1.com) (planetf1.com )
