Mansell backs Verstappen’s criticism of F1: ‘They’re not racing’

summary: Former champion Nigel Mansell sides with Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, calling the 2026 power‑unit rules that force drivers to coast “not racing” and urging the FIA to restore genuine competition.

content:

Nigel Mansell, the 1992 World Champion, has publicly backed Max Verstappen and Lando Norris in their criticism of the 2026 power‑unit regulations that force drivers to coast through corners to conserve energy. He says the current approach turns races into data‑entry drills and threatens the sport’s identity.

Why it matters:

• Fans expect full‑throttle battles; coasting kills the spectacle and risks dropping viewership.
• Drivers lose the chance to exploit car‑control skills that define Formula 1.

The details:

• The 2026 rulebook splits power‑unit output between the internal‑combustion engine and an electric boost, with mandatory “coast” zones that cap energy deployment.
• Verstappen and Norris warned that these zones blunt overtaking opportunities and turn corners into slow‑lap sections.
• Speaking at Silverstone, Mansell told Reuters he “echoes and supports the drivers 100 %” and called the early races “not actually racing.”
• The FIA has scheduled emergency technical meetings to adjust the balance between engine power and energy recovery before the next Grand Prix.

What's next:

• The governing body is expected to issue a revised power‑unit map within the next two race weekends, likely raising the deployable electric energy limit.
• Teams will re‑program energy‑management strategies, which could reshape qualifying runs and race‑day tactics.
• If the tweaks restore full‑throttle racing, the sport can reclaim its “Formula 1 is Formula 1” mantra; inadequate changes risk deeper driver dissent and a push for a more radical overhaul.