Martin Brundle calls for F1 to scrap 2026 concept by 2030: 'I've got a tear in my eye'

Martin Brundle has urged Formula 1 to scrap its 2026 power unit concept entirely by 2030, lamenting that complex energy management has stripped the thrill from iconic high-speed corners. The former driver said watching the new cars at Silverstone and Spa left him with "a tear in my eye," as drivers now harvest and deploy energy instead of attacking legendary circuits flat-out. While he concedes the cars look spectacular in close combat, Brundle insists the underlying complexity is fundamentally damaging the racing product.

Why it matters:

The 2026 rules were designed to push sustainability forward, but near-universal driver criticism reveals a ruleset that prioritizes electrical efficiency over raw racing drama. Forcing drivers to lift and coast through corners like Copse and Pouhon to manage battery cycles risks eroding the DNA of Formula 1 at its most revered venues. Brundle's stance is significant because it frames the current regulations not as fixable growing pains, but as a fundamentally flawed concept requiring complete replacement.

The details:

• Brundle told Sky F1 that drivers are "all struggling to really fully understand" the energy management demands, which sap confidence at high-speed tracks.
• Heavy electrical dependency means flat-out sections have become calculated harvesting zones, diluting the spectacle at historic circuits.
• The FIA and F1 have ratified a phased fix: a 58/42 ICE-to-electric split in 2027, shifting to 60/40 by 2028 to reduce electrical reliance.
• Brundle dismissed these tweaks as insufficient, demanding the sport "get rid of this concept as soon as possible in 2030 or 2031."
• He did note the cars look "fast" in practice and produce genuine excitement during wheel-to-wheel battles.

What's next:

The 2027 and 2028 adjustments should ease the burden, but pressure is mounting for a more radical rethink when the next regulation cycle arrives. If complaints persist through this season, the case for abandoning the 2026 concept by decade's end will only strengthen. Until then, the grid must wrestle with the complexity while fans wait to see if the sport's leaders prioritize racing purity over the current technological mandate.