Sainz calls F1's Straight Line Mode a 'dangerous plaster' for engine woes

Carlos Sainz has labeled Formula 1's new Straight Line Mode (SLM) as a 'dangerous plaster' masking the fundamental energy deployment issues of the 2026 power units. The Ferrari driver's stark warning follows a tense first lap at the Australian Grand Prix, where he felt the system created 'sketchy' and difficult-to-control racing conditions, particularly in corners where it remains active.

Why it matters:

Sainz's criticism strikes at the heart of a core compromise in F1's new technical era. The SLM was introduced as a necessary tool to facilitate overtaking and manage energy, but if top drivers deem it unsafe for wheel-to-wheel combat, it challenges the legitimacy of the current formula's racing product. This raises immediate safety questions and longer-term concerns about whether the 2026 power unit regulations need fundamental revision rather than aerodynamic workarounds.

The details:

• The Core Complaint: Sainz argues SLM is merely a 'plaster' or band-aid solution for the new engines' inability to sustain energy deployment down straights, forcing drivers to use the movable wing system for a speed boost.
• Race Incident: The Spaniard, starting from the back, witnessed a bunched-up field using SLM on the opening lap. He reported the cars felt 'really dangerous' and 'very difficult to control' in slipstreams, especially through the curved sections of Albert Park's back straight (Turns 7 & 8).
• Regulatory Flip-Flop: The FIA initially removed a fourth SLM zone (Turn 6 to 9) on Saturday due to safety concerns but reinstated it shortly after following team feedback, highlighting the ongoing debate and uncertainty surrounding its use.
• Underlying Issue: The problem centers on a sudden change in car balance when SLM is activated. Sainz clarified the issue isn't SLM itself—which he admits is currently essential for racing—but the deficient engine formula that necessitates its use in potentially unsafe track areas.

What's next:

Sainz's public critique adds significant driver weight to growing skepticism about the 2026 rules' execution. His comments will likely fuel further discussion in the next F1 Commission meeting and increase pressure on the FIA and the power unit manufacturers to find a more sustainable solution. The immediate focus will be on whether similar 'sketchy' situations arise at upcoming circuits with high-speed corners preceding long straights, potentially forcing another, more permanent revision to SLM usage rules before a major incident occurs.

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