The FIA is acknowledging Max Verstappen’s concerns regarding the physical demands placed on drivers by the previous generation of Formula 1 cars. The governing body now concedes that drivers were negatively impacted by miscalculations made during the rule-making process, and FIA Single-Seater Director Nikolas Tombazis has indicated that the physical strain on drivers should be significantly reduced starting in 2026.
Verstappen revealed towards the end of 2025 that he had been battling physical issues throughout recent seasons, but remained tight-lipped about the specifics, wanting to avoid giving his competitors any advantage. “Over those sorts of things, you deliberately don’t say much. You keep it all private,” Verstappen said.
He described the high levels of stiffness and compression experienced in the cars, citing instances of 5G or 6G forces in corners, even reaching 9G vertically at certain points on the track. “That’s not decent for your back. I can assure you of that,” Verstappen added.
Newey Anticipated the Problems
Nikolas Tombazis, responsible for the technical regulations, has now admitted Verstappen’s assessment was correct. Tombazis told various media outlets that the cars between 2022 and 2025 were more dependent on ride height than the FIA had anticipated. Lowering the cars to create more downforce led teams to pursue stiffer setups, and the ground effect also contributed to porpoising – a bouncing phenomenon on the straights.
While the cars did improve over time, the adjustments made by teams became increasingly extreme. Tombazis acknowledges the FIA underestimated this trend. “It was a flaw in the regulations, which led to the ideal ride height of the cars being much lower than expected,” Tombazis stated.
The FIA operates with a significantly smaller budget and technical team compared to the Formula 1 teams. The organization often relies on identifying potential pitfalls pointed out by the teams themselves when formulating regulations. “This represents something we missed, but so did the teams,” Tombazis emphasized. “In all the discussions, no one ever raised this point.”
Notably, Adrian Newey and Red Bull were the only ones who predicted these issues and proactively accounted for them in their car design. Newey, yet, had little incentive to voice his concerns to the FIA, as doing so would have compromised his team’s competitive edge.
The admission from the FIA comes as the sport prepares for significant regulation changes in 2026, introducing a 50/50 split between electric and combustion propulsion. These changes have already drawn criticism from Verstappen, who compared the modern cars unfavorably to those in Formula E. [1] The FIA’s willingness to address these concerns signals a commitment to driver well-being and competitive balance as the sport enters a new era. [4]
Tombazis has stated the FIA is “fully open” to addressing concerns raised by drivers, and adjustments to the 2026 regulations may be made to mitigate the issues. [1] This responsiveness is a departure from previous instances where the FIA was perceived as less receptive to driver feedback. [2]
The next major checkpoint for Formula 1 is the start of the 2026 season, with pre-season testing scheduled for late February 2026. All eyes will be on whether the adjustments made to the regulations address the concerns raised by Verstappen and other drivers, and whether the new generation of cars delivers on the promise of a more competitive and physically sustainable era for the sport.
What are your thoughts on the FIA’s response? Share your opinions in the comments below.
[1] Motorsport Week: FIA issues response to Max Verstappen’s damning 2026 car verdict
[2] MSN: FIA’s Nikolas Tombazis responds to Max Verstappen criticism over 2026 cars
[3] Google News: FIA’s Nikolas Tombazis responds to Max Verstappen criticism over 2026 cars
[4] GPFans: FIA willing to make F1 ‘adjustments’ after scathing Max Verstappen review
Keep reading
