Formula 1's 2026 regulations promised a revolution: smaller, lighter cars with a major shift towards electrical power. But as the season unfolds, the reaction from the grid has been less than unanimous, featuring a chorus of critiques from the sport's biggest stars. According to Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson, that was always going to be the case.

Lawson points out that his former teammate, Max Verstappen, has been particularly vocal, comparing the new era to "Formula E and Mario Kart," while reigning champion Lando Norris has also voiced concerns. The core of the criticism often centers on the current performance gap, with 2026 cars notably slower—qualifying times are roughly two seconds down on last year's pace at every circuit so far.

"At the end of the day, there's always going to be things that we want from the car," Lawson told media, including Motorsport.com. "As racing drivers we kind of complain about everything, literally, so I think that'll never change."

However, Lawson distinguishes between general gripes and serious issues. He acknowledges that some complaints, especially regarding safety following Oliver Bearman's high-speed crash in Japan, are entirely valid and need addressing. On the performance side, he sees the current situation as a typical starting point for a new regulatory cycle.

The Kiwi driver is optimistic that the intense development race already underway will close the performance gap. Teams are bringing significant upgrades, with many targeting the upcoming Miami Grand Prix to start clawing back lost time. "If you look at any other regulation, the start of it, there's been a huge sort of development," Lawson noted. He's hopeful that these evolutions will not only make the cars faster but also "nicer to drive" as engineers unlock more potential from the new rules package.