Formula One's 2026 season has begun under new technical regulations that have become the main talking point of the Australian Grand Prix weekend in Melbourne.
The changes have introduced major modifications to car design, especially in power distribution and aerodynamics.
Reigning world champion Lando Norris criticised the new cars, calling them "probably the worst" he has driven in Formula One. He said the sport has moved from producing "the best cars ever made" to machines that force drivers to lift off the throttle frequently to maintain battery charge.
Under the new rules, nearly half of the car's power unit is battery-based, requiring drivers to regenerate energy through braking or reduced acceleration. Drivers must carefully manage battery levels, especially on tracks like Albert Park where long, sweeping straights offer limited braking zones.
Qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix highlighted the performance impact of the new regulations. George Russell secured pole position with a lap time of 1:18.518, which was over three seconds slower than the previous year's qualifying benchmark under dry conditions.
Mercedes dominated the front row, with rookie Kimi Antonelli finishing second. Red Bull's Isack Hadjar and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc followed in third and fourth. Australian driver Oscar Piastri qualified fifth, while Norris will start sixth.
Defending champion Max Verstappen was cleared by medical officials to race after a qualifying crash that required X-rays on his hands. He will start from 20th on the grid.
Several drivers have expressed concern that the new cars reduce attacking opportunities and require more energy monitoring during races. Some drivers said the reduced aerodynamic downforce makes cars feel more unstable, while others argued the cars are less enjoyable to push to the limit.
McLaren team principal Zak Brown suggested the governing body may need to review the rules after the race if the changes negatively affect race entertainment.
Drivers also reported that power output can drop significantly in some corners, with some corners showing losses of around 450 horsepower compared to previous-generation machines.
The Australian Grand Prix could present strategic uncertainty, as car behaviour is expected to vary across different circuits during the season. While some drivers believe performance may improve over time, fundamental design limits may be difficult to resolve quickly.
Mercedes are considered strong contenders based on qualifying performance, but Piastri faces a statistical challenge. No driver has won the race from outside the top three grid positions at Albert Park since it became part of the Formula One championship in 1985.
The race outcome may influence whether regulators reconsider parts of the 2026 technical framework during the season.