Former driver Martin Brundle on the Spa race: “I’ve got a tear in my eye”

After two race weekends which, whilst providing plenty of close battles for fans watching on TV, have nevertheless left some in the Formula 1 paddock feeling rather disillusioned. The reason is the high proportion of electric power in the powertrains, which caused problems at Spa. Oscar Piastri described energy management as “a nightmare”. Fernando Alonso said his future in Formula 1 also depends on the regulations for the coming years. When asked about energy management at the post-Belgian Grand Prix press conference , Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen simply replied: “Welcome to F1 2026.”

Brundle: Great corners lost

Some TV pundits also criticised the engine concept after the Belgian Grand Prix – at least on circuits such as Silverstone and Spa. Former Formula 1 driver Martin Brundle (158 GPs) told Sky in the UK: “I think they’re all struggling to fully understand it. I’ve got a tear in my eye because we’ve lost all those great corners at Silverstone and Spa due to one and the same situation. These new rules are hurting us on the high-speed circuits.”

The challenges posed by the new engine regulations have been known since the start of the 2026 season and are the subject of ongoing controversy. On the two circuits in England and Belgium – two historic tracks that also epitomise the history of Formula 1 – most sections of the track are fast, as are many of the corners. This makes it correspondingly difficult to recharge the electric component of the engine on these circuits. In the legendary corners at Spa and Silverstone, there is consequently less full-throttle driving and more recharging. On street circuits with many slower corners, such as in Monaco or Miami, the negative aspects of the 2026 regulations were, for example, much less pronounced.

As the regulations repeatedly came in for criticism, Formula 1 and the FIA’s rule-makers made a few adjustments back in the spring. Changes are also planned for the coming seasons, including a split of 60 per cent internal combustion and 40 per cent electric power.

Regulations are complex

Brundle warns: “We’re planning for 2027 and 2028, and we need to get rid of this concept as soon as possible – by 2030 or 2031.” In other words, when the next regulations cycle comes around. Brundle: “But apart from that, this is what we’ve got. When I watch them on the track on Friday – wow, they’re fast. When they’re side by side, it’s a joy to watch. But they have to master the complexity – and there’s plenty of it.”

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