Engine rule tweaks right way to address purity of F1: Alex Albon

A step in the ‘right direction’. That’s how Williams driver Alex Albon summed up the engine rule tweaks to the 2026 F1 regulations, which have generated plenty of debate following the first three races of the season.

With the new hybrid power units introduced this season having an almost 50-50 split between electric and combustion power, drivers bemoaned that their skills were being blunted. There were also safety concerns raised after the nasty crash in last month’s Japanese Grand Prix involving Haas driver Oliver Bearman.

Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
However, an online meeting on Monday involving the FIA — the sport’s governing body, team principals, CEOs of power unit manufacturers and F1 saw the approval of several changes intended to improve both the racing and driver safety aspects.

“Positive, definitely towards the right direction,” Albon told a select group of reporters during an online call on Wednesday when asked about the changes, most of which will come into effect at the next race in Miami from May 1-3. “Is it going to fix everything? Likely not. But how much can we actually fix? I think we’ve gone the right way to address a lot of the pureness of the sport. Actually, tomorrow (Thursday) I’m in a simulator to test the new regulations. So I’m hoping I’ll have a nice, enjoyable time.”

It’s been anything but an enjoyable time so far for many of the drivers, left frustrated by the new rules. Most notable among the disgruntled bunch was four-time champion Max Verstappen, who said he was even contemplating his future in F1 after finishing eighth in Suzuka. Albon elaborated on how, in his view, the essence of the sport had been diluted. “Basically, when you think about karting, when you think about everything we’ve done until this year, to go faster, you just drive as fast as you can. It’s as simple as that. This year, the game has changed, where there are many situations where, by driving slower, you can go faster.

“So it lacks the purity of the sport in many ways, in terms of, you want to know that when you do the lap as quickly as you can, it will be the fastest lap you can do. I know these new regulation changes will improve that.

“While I won’t go into detail on how you can go faster by driving slower, but for the most part, I think maybe 80% of those techniques will go away,” said the British-born Thai driver who finished eighth in the drivers’ standings last season.

‘Indian race would be fantastic’
Asked about India’s renewed push for a return to the F1 calendar, Albon welcomed the prospect. “I never got to drive the track when it was held there. It would be fantastic to have an Indian race,” said the 30-year-old.

“I think the drivers enjoyed it back then. Maybe Fernando (Alonso) and Lewis (Hamilton) will have a bit of an advantage over everyone else, but I’ll be excited to drive there.”

(Fans can catch Formula 1 on FanCode)

Stay updated with the latest IPL Live Score, IPL news on Times of India. Follow the IPL Schedule, check the IPL Points Table, and track the race for the IPL Orange Cap and IPL Purple Cap.