F1 legend David Coulthard has voiced concerns that the sport is drifting away from its roots due to the current set of regulations, which has split the grid since it was first introduced this season.
Fireworks were always expected heading into the 2026 F1 season given the brand-new engine formula, and that is exactly what fans have been given in recent months.
The new 50/50 split between combustion and electrical power in the 2026 hybrid power units has left teams at odds, with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen being one of the most vocal critics of F1’s new technical direction.
Concerns around artificial overtaking, reduced full-throttle action, and slower starts off the line have all been points of contention for drivers. And now someone who knows a thing or two about F1’s golden era has added their voice to those concerns.
Speaking on Austria’s Sport and Talk from Hangar-7 show, David Coulthard shared his views on the direction F1 is heading after the early stages of the 2026 season.
Coulthard has previously defended Verstappen during his initial criticism of the new regulations and has acknowledged the FIA’s efforts to address issues with a technical amendment at Suzuka.
But despite those steps, Coulthard remains concerned about where F1 is heading. “We need to be careful now,” he warned via Speedweek. “What we must never lose sight of is that in qualifying, we need to have the driver at the front who gets the most out of the car.”
“When you think of corners like Becketts and Eau Rouge, if you can now cruise through them at full throttle, I don’t know…”
“Schumacher, Hamilton, Verstappen – these drivers who dominated have all shown what they’re capable of and how they can excel. We have strong drivers now too, but we’re losing some of Formula 1’s DNA.”
The two leading drivers in Formula One history have also raised similar concerns about where things are going under this rule cycle. Hamilton’s criticisms have quieted down lately, but Verstappen hasn’t held back when it comes to voicing his frustration with some elements of modern F1.
One of the most severe crashes linked to the new regulations happened recently at the Japanese Grand Prix, where Oliver Bearman endured a 50g impact after swerving to avoid Franco Colapinto near turn 13.
Colapinto’s Alpine had gone into harvesting mode as Bearman approached at full throttle. The Haas driver, caught off guard by the speed difference, needed help from race marshals to exit his VF-26.
Coulthard commented on the Austrian show, “It was clear that an accident like Colapinto’s was bound to happen. You see accidents like that at Le Mans, too.
“But when a car takes off, as Mark Webber and Kovalainen did in Valencia, nobody has control anymore. Let’s wait and see how it goes in Miami. The question is whether the difference is now big enough.”
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