Drivers Seek Greater Influence in Formula One Rule-Making
Lewis Hamilton has advocated for Formula One drivers to have a direct role in shaping the sport’s future regulations, emphasizing the need for their voices alongside those of teams and the FIA. This perspective was widely supported within the paddock, including by reigning champion Lando Norris.
Hamilton expressed his views ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, where recent rule amendments—introduced in response to driver dissatisfaction with this season’s regulations—are being implemented for the first time.
“All the drivers we do work together, we all meet but the fact is we don’t have a seat at the table,” Hamilton said. “We do engage with the FIA and F1, F1’s more often a little bit more responsive. But being that we’re not stakeholders, we don’t have a seat at the table currently, which I think needs to change.”
The seven-time world champion highlighted the example of tyre testing, noting the lack of driver collaboration in the process.
“I say to them, when I was doing the Pirelli test: ‘You guys should come and speak to us and collaborate with us, we don’t want to be slagging off the Pirelli tyres, we know you can build a good product’,” he added.
“But their feedback will be coming from people who have never driven a car before. Speak to us, we’ll work hand in hand, we can work together to approach the FIA so we can get a better product. The same with F1. We’re here to work with you. We don’t want to be slating our sport. We want the sport to succeed and so we need to be working together.
“But it’s like a [broken] record, you keep doing it and it’s like small baby steps each time. But I have no doubt [we are aligned].”
Driver Criticism of Current Regulations and Energy Management
Since the season began, drivers have expressed widespread dissatisfaction with the new regulations, particularly concerning the role of energy management. The current formula requires an almost equal split between power derived from the combustion engine and electrical energy, which has significantly influenced race strategy and driving style.
Max Verstappen has been notably vocal about his discontent, even suggesting he is contemplating his future in the sport due to the impact of these rules.
“I hope (for) more and more (driver input),” said Verstappen. “I think if we would have had that five, maybe even before, like five, six years ago, we probably wouldn’t have been in the state that we are in now.”
The recent rule adjustments focus on modifying parameters related to energy recovery management during qualifying and races. While there is cautious optimism among teams and drivers that these changes may improve the situation, many agree that earlier and greater driver involvement in rule development could have prevented the current challenges.
Support from Fellow Drivers and the GPDA
Lando Norris affirmed Hamilton’s stance on driver representation in regulatory discussions.
“It’s completely correct, it’s something that we want, it’s what they have in a lot of other sports,” Norris said. “Having a seat at the table is something we’ve spoken about as the GPDA [Grand Prix Driver’s Association]. We’re all very aligned with that.
“Sometimes I think we have to accept as drivers we’re very blindsided. Maybe the externals from a business side of things, teams, how teams work, how all of that’s organised. We have to accept that we’re maybe not always completely correct. But the majority of things that we think of us as drivers and what we want for the sport is a win-win. It’s better for us and it’s better for the fans.”
Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll Critiques Current Formula
Prior to the drivers testing the revised rules during an extended first practice session on Friday, Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll delivered a critical assessment of the current regulations.
“I think it’s fundamentally just so flawed. I’m not an engineer, but maybe there’s a lot of things that can be done. I don’t have all the answers. It’s sad that we’re in this situation,” he said.
When asked why he believed Formula One management considered the rules successful, Stroll was candid.
“F1 is a business and they want to protect their business, we’re drivers and we know how it feels like to drive a good car, so there’s two different perspectives on it,” he added.
“People are watching the sport no matter what, so F1 is happy. But for the drivers, the fans, the people that really know about racing, know what it was like before, the drivers that know what it’s like to drive really good, proper cars. There’s no hiding behind the fact that right now it’s not as good as it could be, it’s far from good as it could be.”
