Stroll calls F3 '1000 times more fun' than F1, slams 2026 rule changes
Summary
After testing a Formula 3 car and racing a GT3 at Paul Ricard, Lance Stroll says F1 cars are “1000 times less fun,” citing added battery weight and part‑throttle under the 2026 regulations.
Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll says today’s F1 car feels “1000 times less fun” than a Formula 3 chassis – a line he delivered after testing an F3 car and racing a Vantage GT3 at Paul Ricard. He blames the added battery weight and part‑throttle management introduced by the 2026 rule package for killing the car’s character.
Why it matters:
- Driver sentiment directly influences fan perception and sponsor confidence in the sport.
- The 2026 regulations add ~120 kg of batteries and restrict downforce, altering how cars behave on‑track.
The details:
- Stroll spent the April break in a GT World Challenge 6‑hour race in a Vantage GT3 and logged a few laps in a standard F3 car, noting the 550‑650 kg chassis versus the 750‑800 kg F1 machine.
- He criticized part‑throttle and lift‑and‑coast systems, saying they force drivers to manage batteries instead of driving flat‑out.
- Despite the gripe, he stays with Aston Martin, pointing to Adrian Newey’s arrival, a new wind‑tunnel and confidence that the team can still realise its potential.
What's next:
The 2026 rulebook takes effect in 2026, giving teams three seasons to adapt. Stroll says he’ll keep voicing concerns, hoping the FIA will trim the hybrid weight penalty or soften part‑throttle to bring back the visceral feel that made F1 a spectacle.
Original Article :https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/f3-1000-times-more-fun-than-f1-stroll-may-be-...