Piastri Agrees With Russell That 2026 F1 Qualifying Is 'Pretty Crap'

Oscar Piastri has defended George Russell's blunt criticism of Formula 1's 2026 power unit regulations, conceding that qualifying grids decided by battery management and computer calibration amount to a "pretty crap" way to race. While suggesting Russell has publicly exaggerated the severity, the McLaren driver insists the core problem is both genuine and affecting every engine manufacturer on the grid.

Why it matters:

The backlash from drivers underscores a structural weakness in the current regulations, which split power output evenly between the internal combustion engine and battery. With Spa-Francorchamps exposing how energy-starved circuits can randomly ruin qualifying sessions, Piastri's remarks validate concerns that software algorithms—not driver skill—are increasingly dictating the grid.

The Details:

• Russell endured a torrid Belgian GP weekend, eliminated in Q1 after losing nearly four-tenths to teammate Kimi Antonelli in Spa's final sector alone due to a lack of harvested battery energy for deployment on the straights.
• The Mercedes driver's straight-line speed deficit left him defenseless on the run to Les Combes, where he collided with Lewis Hamilton during the opening lap of the race.
• Piastri explained the issue is embedded in how the engines are calibrated and how they learn track behavior, meaning planned regulatory changes for 2027 and 2028 will not automatically cure the current sensitivity.
• He emphasized the power units are so temperamental that a driver's actions on an out-lap can alter energy availability, making them a "tricky way of going racing" regardless of the manufacturer.

Looking Ahead:

The regulations are already set to evolve for 2027 and 2028, shifting reliance back toward the internal combustion engine and away from the battery. However, Piastri cautioned that improvement will come only as manufacturers gradually master the complex systems, leaving the grid vulnerable to electronic lottery until then.