A New Start? F1 Drivers Fight for Safer Beginnings
The world of Formula 1 is buzzing with talks about changing the way races begin.
- Drivers and teams say the current start process is risky, especially with the new 2026 cars.
- During early tests, drivers struggled to launch quickly and must keep the turbo ready for about ten seconds while avoiding draining the battery too early.
- “It feels a mess because the timing is hard to manage,” one driver said.
Safety concerns grow as mistakes happen often in practice.
Some experts estimate that one out of every twenty starts goes wrong; a slow car at the line can lead to crashes, and back‑of‑grid drivers have very little time between lining up and the lights turning on.
A famous driver asked whether there is enough time to spin his turbo before the start. The FIA may discuss changes next week.
Two Ideas on the Table
- Give drivers more time before the lights start – extending the window for a smooth launch.
- Allow battery help earlier – permitting the battery to assist before reaching 50 km/h, currently only for charging.
The current rules let drivers use the battery only after reaching 50 km/h and only to charge, not boost. A big obstacle remains: Ferrari blocked a similar change last year, arguing that the turbo problems were known during design and they won’t accept new rules that favor other teams. Ferrari’s engines may already handle turbo lag better than others.
If the FIA can find a fair compromise, race starts could become safer for everyone.
