Piastri Sounds Alarm Over 'Borderline Safety' of New F1 Race Starts

McLaren's Oscar Piastri has issued a stark warning, labeling the race start procedure for Formula 1's new 2026 cars a "borderline safety" issue that requires immediate attention. The problem stems from the complex new power units, which have left drivers struggling to execute reliable launches, risking chaotic grid getaways and potential collisions when the season begins.

Why it matters:

Race starts are one of the most critical and high-pressure moments in a Grand Prix, with all 20 cars accelerating in close proximity. A procedure that is unpredictable or prone to failure doesn't just affect competition—it creates a genuine safety hazard. If drivers cannot reliably launch their cars, it increases the risk of stalled vehicles being hit from behind, turning the start into a lottery with dangerous consequences.

The details:

• The core issue is the removal of the MGU-H from the power unit. This component previously helped spool up the turbocharger instantly using harvested energy.
• Without it, the turbo now requires a different method to reach optimal boost pressure. Under the current system, drivers may need to hold high engine revs for up to 10 seconds before the lights go out, a process that is neither intuitive nor consistent.
• Piastri clarified that a botched practice start in Bahrain testing was due to mixed radio instructions, not the power unit itself, but stressed the underlying technical challenge remains severe.
• He highlighted the disproportionate impact on drivers at the back of the grid, who have less time to complete the lengthy pre-start procedure before the lights sequence begins.
• The Australian driver contrasted the new challenge with previous years, noting: "The difference between a good and bad start last year was you got a bit of wheel spin or you had a bad reaction time. Whereas this year... you could be losing six or seven spots if it goes wrong."

What's next:

With only the three days of pre-season testing completed, the clock is ticking to find a solution before the competitive sessions in Melbourne. Piastri confirmed that starts will be a major topic of discussion between teams and the FIA in the coming weeks. While confident a workable procedure will be found, he emphasized that the extra testing time was essential not for performance but to iron out these fundamental operational and safety-critical systems. The resolution will need to standardize the process to ensure fairness and, above all, safety for every driver on the grid.