Gasly was astonished that the 'top 4 remain in front' even after the rule changes.

      Pierre Gasly expressed his surprise that the traditional leading teams continue to dominate Formula 1 even after the major rule changes set for 2026. In an interview with AFP, the Alpine driver noted that pre-season testing indicates that the same four teams—Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull, and McLaren—are still ahead of the competition. "We’ll find out the order after three or four races," Gasly commented, "but it is surprising to see those four teams remaining at the front, especially since they have the least wind tunnel time."

      Since 2021, the Aerodynamic Test Restriction (ATR) system in Formula 1 has aimed to give lower-ranked teams more wind tunnel development time to help level the playing field. "There are definitely questions to consider," Gasly added. "It’s astonishing that they perform better with nearly 50 percent less time. If they had the same amount of time as everyone else, what would that mean—three seconds ahead?" After finishing last in the 2025 constructors' championship, Alpine transitioned from Renault to Mercedes power this year and began early preparations for their 2026 car. Gasly believes the team has made strides but admits the competitive landscape still appears divided. "It's an improvement from last year, but it's too early to determine the precise order," he remarked. "As it stands, it feels like there are two separate championships. The gap between the top teams and the others is quite pronounced, and we find ourselves in the middle of the pack."

      Like many drivers, Gasly noted that the new cars offer a different driving experience. "When you take a corner at 250 km/h last year and now do it at 220, it feels different," he shared. "It's not necessarily worse; it's just a new challenge. Driving the car is still incredibly thrilling. The only harder aspect to accept is the entire electric component, which has a significant impact on performance and demands much more management than before."

      Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher also expressed surprise at how the sport has adapted to the new regulations. "What surprises me most is that, despite all the smart minds and simulations, it's only now that people realize how complex these issues are," he noted. "It's beneficial for journalists but not ideal for Formula 1." Schumacher sympathizes with drivers voicing concerns about the heavy emphasis on energy management. "I concur with Max Verstappen that there's far too much calculation involved with electric energy," he remarked. "The overall performance has dropped significantly, and the cars are markedly heavier. Formula 1 has simply become too complex." However, he is skeptical about any imminent rule changes, although he mentions that F1's next steps could be intriguing. "Plan B could just mean reverting to traditional combustion engines with synthetic fuels by 2030," Schumacher stated. "Formula 1 should be viewed again as a gladiatorial sport—not primarily through the sustainability lens."