Drivers involved in discussions about F1 regulations, FIA minimizes the situation's severity.

      "It's an issue if the focus is solely on the teams."

      Formula 1 drivers are officially being included in discussions regarding the contentious 2026 regulations ahead of a significant decision meeting scheduled for April 20. The FIA plans to hold an online meeting with the drivers before this date, marking a significant change in response to long-standing grievances about the limited influence competitors have in the rule-making process. GPDA chairman Alex Wurz mentions that the level of driver involvement is unprecedented. "The well-known drivers' WhatsApp group has essentially exploded. The conversation is more active than it's ever been. I can hardly recall it being this lively," he stated. "The drivers are sharing their feelings, suggesting various solutions, including technical ones, and we're analyzing how to ensure that the drivers' voices are heard." GPDA director Carlos Sainz concurs that the current approach is excessively team-centric. "It becomes a problem if the teams are the only ones being consulted. They may be satisfied with the racing because they appreciate how it appears on TV," he remarked. "But from a driver's standpoint, competing against others and facing a speed difference of 50kph doesn't truly represent racing." Sainz urged officials to act swiftly, even in incremental measures. "I genuinely hope they heed our input and concentrate on the feedback we've provided, rather than just taking into account what the teams say. They must formulate a plan for Miami that enhances the situation, as well as a strategy for the medium-term future of these regulations to make further improvements. Even if it’s impossible to resolve everything before the Miami race, there should be at least one step taken before Miami, followed by a significant stride, possibly next year or later this season." However, Nikolas Tombazis, FIA's single-seater chief, maintains that the situation isn't as critical as some believe. "It's not as if we're contemplating a complete overhaul," he stated. "We see the situation as stable — the patient isn't in critical condition; it just needs a few more apples daily instead of requiring open-heart surgery. There are issues related to both drivability and safety that we must tackle, but I also don't want to claim that everything is chaotic." Tombazis recognized the concerns that arose after Oliver Bearman's high-speed crash at Suzuka, which has been associated with extreme closing speeds due to the new energy management rules. "Every high-speed accident is always a bit shocking," he commented. "To suggest it was anticipated would be incorrect, but the increased closing speeds had been flagged as a potential danger."