F1 needs to address 'flawed' regulations as engines return.

      "In principle, having a 50-50 power distribution seems appealing."

      Former Red Bull advisor Dr. Helmut Marko argues that Formula 1 urgently needs to address what he refers to as the "imperfect" regulations of 2026, as the sport begins reverting to traditional engine concepts. In an interview with ORF during ongoing crisis discussions in April, Marko stated that the current regulations were developed under assumptions that are now outdated regarding future mobility.

      "Certain aspects were overlooked during the formation of these regulations, but we must remember that they were created at a time when it was believed that electric vehicles were the only route forward," he explained. "However, the landscape has shifted considerably; internal combustion engines are experiencing a resurgence due to new fuels that produce no CO2, rendering them environmentally friendly."

      While the long-term vision may be changing, Marko emphasizes that the immediate focus must be on rectifying the current regulations. "Right now, all efforts should be directed toward addressing, what I would call, the deficiencies of these flawed regulations," he commented.

      "In theory, a balanced 50-50 power distribution between the electric powertrain and the internal combustion engine sounds ideal. But in practice, this system proves ineffective since the battery requires charging, and there aren't sufficient charging stations at the tracks." He also highlighted safety issues stemming from recent events. "The speed disparity reached 50kph," he noted. "It felt as if the car was stationary—situations like that need to be avoided."

      Marko added that the current focus on energy management clashes fundamentally with the essence of Formula 1. "I believe Lewis Hamilton is correct when he says that the one who manages energy most effectively will have the upper hand. However, that notion is quite distant from Formula 1, where the fastest driver in the best or quickest car should prevail."

      "In Formula 1, the outcome shouldn’t depend solely on engineers who have optimized their software better than their competitors. It shouldn't operate like this—overtaking should occur because one driver has a charged battery while another has a depleted one. Those aren't genuine overtakes; they are merely passes. That's not right."

      Nonetheless, not everyone is as worried. 2016 world champion Nico Rosberg expressed to Bloomberg that he understands why the spectacle might seem odd but prefers to withhold his critique. "I can see why this might look strange to many viewers at home. From their viewpoint, a driver should be pushing full throttle at that moment. After all, these cars are meant to be the fastest in the world," he remarked. "As for me, I'm quite relaxed about it—as long as we witness great battles between the drivers. That's what matters most to me."