Coulthard Calls for Eau Rouge Battery Harvesting Ban on Safety Grounds
Summary
David Coulthard argues that F1's 2026 battery harvesting rules pose a safety risk at high-speed blind corners like Eau Rouge and are ruining the raw spectacle of qualifying. The 13-time grand prix winner wants specific corners exempted from energy recovery to prevent dangerous closing-speed incidents and preserve the sport's ultimate speed challenge.
Former F1 driver David Coulthard has proposed that iconic corners like Spa-Francorchamps' Eau Rouge should be designated as 'no-harvesting' zones under the 2026 regulations, citing critical safety concerns over closing speeds. He also criticized how the new emphasis on energy management is diminishing the spectacle of a pure, flat-out qualifying lap, arguing it removes the 'wow' factor for fans.
Original Article :https://www.planetf1.com/news/david-coulthard-eau-rouge-warning-f1-2026-battery-...