Sainz pushes the FIA to widen the conversation

Carlos Sainz wants the FIA to take drivers’ opinions seriously as it works through changes to the new 2026 Formula 1 regulations, rather than leaning too heavily on what the teams have to say. A bold request, really, from the people actually strapped into the cars.

The governing body is due to review some of the weaker points in the new rules before the Miami Grand Prix. With the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian rounds cancelled, it has a bit more breathing room to do that properly, at least in theory. One of the main issues on the table is qualifying, which has already been flagged as an area needing attention.

But the bigger concern remains the power unit rules and the speed differences they can create.

Bearman’s crash sharpened the warning

That risk was made painfully obvious at the Japanese Grand Prix, when Oliver Bearman suffered a frightening crash during his battle with Franco Colapinto. The Haas driver suddenly found himself dealing with a large overspeed differential and ended up in a heavy 50G impact with the barriers.

Bearman was thankfully able to avoid hitting the Alpine ahead of him and walked away with only bruising to his knee. Still, the incident was enough to prompt the FIA to issue a statement after Suzuka, saying a "structured review" would follow the opening round of the season.

Several drivers, including Sainz and Lando Norris, had already warned that it was only a matter of time before a crash like Bearman’s, or something worse, happened. After the race, before he had even seen the incident, Sainz repeated that view.

"There were a lot of big moments there in the first three laps, while we were all sorting out our energies, until our systems learn," he said.

"With the closing speeds we have with the boost button, or even without using the boost button, sometimes your engine gives you a lot more speed than the guy in front, depending on where the other [driver] is on the energy.

"And it was only a matter of time [before] the first big crash was going to happen.

"I don't know if Franco did anything stupid or not; I cannot judge, but independently of that, these kinds of accidents are going to happen a lot with this set of regulations."

Why Sainz says drivers need a voice

Sainz, who also serves as a director of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association, said the FIA needs to do a better job of weighing driver feedback instead of relying almost entirely on the teams.

After Suzuka, Lewis Hamilton pointed out that drivers "don't have any power" and "no voting rights" in the process. Sainz made clear he sees the same problem.

He said teams can view the racing differently because they are watching it from outside the cockpit, where the spectacle can look better than it feels.

"That's a problem when you only listen to the teams, that they will think the racing is okay, because maybe they're having fun watching it on the TV," Sainz said.

"But from a driver's standpoint, when you are racing each other, and you realise that there can be a 50 kph speed delta, that's actually not racing.

"There's no category, I think, in the world where you have these kinds of closing speeds, because that's when big actions can happen, because it catches you by surprise, you defend late, it catches you [up to] the car in front, or...

"Anyway, I really hope they listen to us, and they focus on the feedback we've given them, rather than only listening to the teams.

"And that they come up with a plan for Miami that improves the situation, and a plan also for the medium-term future of these regulations, to keep improving it.

"Even if you cannot improve everything for Miami, do a step - another good step in Miami - and then a big step for, I don't know if it's next year or later in the season."

For Sainz, the point is not to tear up the rules overnight. It is to stop pretending the people racing at full speed through these systems are somehow optional to the discussion.