Brundle Questions FIA's 2026 Rules, Verstappen's Nurburgring Plans & More

Sky F1 pundit Martin Brundle has called on the FIA to address a "big issue" with the 2026 car regulations following Lando Norris's comments, while Max Verstappen confirms his next step towards a 24-hour race debut. In other news, Lance Stroll will make a GT3 debut, Ferrari teases a major Miami upgrade, and Alpine condemns online abuse against its drivers.

Why it matters:

The convergence of these stories highlights the dynamic pressures shaping Formula 1's present and future. Brundle's criticism touches on a fundamental philosophical debate about driver control in an increasingly automated sport. Meanwhile, drivers like Verstappen and Stroll seeking competition outside F1 underscores a desire for pure racing, potentially contrasting with their expressed dissatisfaction with the upcoming 2026 regulations. Off-track, Alpine's public stance against online abuse reflects the sport's ongoing battle with the toxic side of its fanbase.

The details:

• Brundle's Warning: The commentator took issue with Lando Norris stating he "didn't want to overtake" Lewis Hamilton in Japan, as his car's system deployed power automatically. Brundle argues this violates the principle that a driver must drive the car "alone and unaided," labeling the 2026-spec cars as problematic "self-learning" machines and urging the FIA to "get rid" of the feature.
• Verstappen's Endurance Push: Max Verstappen will participate in the Nurburgring 24-hour qualification races on April 18-19, a critical step in his preparation for the full endurance classic later in the year. His participation was made possible after the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, with which the qualifiers originally clashed, was cancelled.
• Stroll's GT3 Debut: During F1's April break, Lance Stroll will race an Aston Martin Vantage GT3 in the GT World Challenge Europe event at Paul Ricard. He will team with ex-F1 driver Roberto Merhi and Mari Boya for the six-hour night race, marking his first competitive outing in the GT3 category.
• Ferrari's Upgrade Tease: Team Principal Fred Vasseur hinted that Ferrari's major upgrade package, initially planned for the cancelled Bahrain GP, has been expanded and could now be a "package and a half" for the Miami Grand Prix next month, signaling a significant development push.
• Alpine's Stand Against Abuse: The Alpine team issued an open letter condemning online abuse directed at drivers, specifically citing hateful messages received by Franco Colapinto following the Chinese GP incident with Esteban Ocon and after Oliver Bearman's crash in Japan.

What's next:

The FIA's response to Brundle's concerns will be closely watched as the 2026 regulations solidify. Verstappen's performance in the Nurburgring qualifiers will gauge his readiness for the 24-hour challenge, while Stroll's GT3 debut offers a glimpse into drivers' activities during the break. All eyes will be on Miami to see if Ferrari's promised upgrades can shift the competitive order, and whether the paddock's collective stance will help curb the wave of online abuse targeting drivers.