Gasly backs tweaks to 2026 qualifying rules, defends driver impact

Alpine driver Pierre Gasly says the FIA's upcoming review of the 2026 Formula 1 rulebook should focus on qualifying, but he rejects the claim that the new hybrid‑heavy spec has erased driver influence. Although lift-and-coast, energy‑harvest laps and stricter battery limits now shape qualifying runs, Gasly argues the fight for grip remains the sport's core.

Why it matters:

Qualifying defines the weekend's drama; if energy management drowns out outright speed, fans and sponsors risk losing the spectacle that drives F1's appeal. Safety concerns also loom after Oliver Bearman's high‑speed crash at Suzuka, prompting a look at how closing speeds are affected by the new rules.

The details:

• Lift-and-coast and "super-clip" phases now dictate how drivers extract and return energy during a lap.
• Mandatory energy‑budget caps prevent drivers from staying flat‑out for an entire sector.
• Reduced downforce makes cornering more delicate, increasing reliance on tyre grip.
• Alpine's switch to Mercedes power units has boosted results: a point in Australia, sixth in Shanghai and a defended seventh-place grid in Japan.

What's next:

The FIA will meet next week to fine‑tune battery‑management limits before the Miami Grand Prix in four weeks. Gasly expects a collaborative outcome, saying drivers and teams will work together to keep the sport competitive.