From future engine regulations to potential race cancellations and key moments in F1 history, our editor breaks down the biggest talking points following the opening three rounds of the season.
After putting a call out on our social media channels and to readers in the comments, we received a wide range of questions from fans across the world. Mat Coch, editor at has selected the most interesting submissions and provided his answers below.
This Q&A dives into some of the most debated topics in the paddock right now—from the direction of future power unit rules and sporting changes, to concerns over race weekends, calendar stability, and how current developments compare with key moments in Formula 1 history.
Whether you’re tracking technical regulation shifts or broader championship trends, this feature aims to unpack the key issues shaping the sport right now—straight from fan questions to expert analysis.
Is there any hope for the 2031 V8s being naturally aspirated?
Hans Aaraas, Facebook
Mat Coch:
That’s a very good question, and at the moment it feels like there hasn’t been a huge amount of structured thinking beyond the current regulatory era.
What we do know is that manufacturers have invested heavily in the present hybrid formula. That means factories, infrastructure, staff, and long-term programmes are all built around the current technology. Naturally, they will want to recoup that investment before any major shift like 2031.
Even if a move away from hybrids were proposed, it would need to fit within each manufacturer’s business strategy. For some, being in Formula 1 is valuable enough to justify almost any technical direction. For others, it has to align more directly with road-car relevance.
It’s not a simple question, and it’s not one that needs an immediate answer—but the conversation will have to begin fairly soon.
A naturally aspirated V8 powered by sustainable fuels isn’t completely off the table, but whether it becomes the preferred direction is far from certain.
How quickly can the current “mess” change?
Elesie Geledenhuys, Facebook
MC: Quite quickly—but the danger is overcorrecting too early and creating new problems in the process.
What’s more likely is a series of small, incremental changes over several races, followed by a period of observation to assess the impact. We’re already expecting refinements to the 2026 regulations around the Miami round, with further adjustments possible depending on how the racing evolves.
However, the core philosophy of the rules probably won’t be completely rewritten midstream. Instead, F1 is more likely to “fine-tune” the system until it reaches a more natural and familiar style of racing.
In other words: change will happen, but it may take several iterations before things fully stabilise.
Why doesn’t F1 dump the FIA and set up its own management?
late_nite_friend, Instagram
MC: The structure of Formula 1 is more complicated than it might appear.
The FIA is the governing regulator of the sport, responsible for the rules, safety standards, and circuit licensing. Meanwhile, Formula One Management—owned by Liberty Media—controls the commercial side, including broadcasting, sponsorship, and promotion.
All of this is governed through the Concorde Agreement, which defines how power is shared between the FIA, FOM, and the teams.
Because the FIA controls licensing for circuits, it effectively has significant leverage over any alternative series. Past attempts at breakaway championships have shown how difficult it is to sustain a rival structure, especially since most circuits rely on multiple racing categories—not just F1—for financial viability.
So while frustration sometimes leads to talk of separation, in practice the system is deeply interconnected and very difficult to replace.
All-time top six F1 drivers seen in person
MC (Mat Coch)
Potentially controversial in the ordering, but the six best drivers I’ve seen race in the flesh are:
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Max Verstappen (number one)
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Alain Prost
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Michael Schumacher
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Ayrton Senna
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Mika Häkkinen
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Lewis Hamilton
As an aside, I was also fortunate enough to see Jack Brabham in a demonstration race in the early 2000s, driving a McLaren.
There was a Ferrari ahead of him that expired and dropped oil through a corner. Even in those conditions, Brabham—despite being retired for decades—made everyone else on track (including accomplished drivers like Vern Schuppan) look ordinary. He calmly navigated the slippery corner while others struggled or spun. It was remarkable to watch, especially considering his age and time away from competition.
Why was the Saudi GP cancelled? Couldn’t safety be guaranteed?
MC
At the time, there were discussions about Saudi Arabia potentially going ahead while Bahrain was cancelled, but the two events were treated as a “package” in terms of regional relations.
The reasoning was that running one race while cancelling the other would send the wrong diplomatic message to Bahrain. At the same time, there were also legitimate safety concerns being evaluated in Saudi Arabia itself.
So the decision was influenced by a combination of political sensitivity and risk assessment, rather than safety alone.
Could F1 reinstate Middle East races in August 2026?
Andy
The main issue here is logistics.
Formula 1 calendars are planned years in advance, and reshuffling events is extremely complex. Even if there is agreement in principle from the FIA, FOM, and teams, fitting races into the schedule is not straightforward.
There have been discussions about reinstating cancelled events later in the year, but that could result in extremely compressed scheduling—potentially four races in as many weekends—which would place huge strain on teams, personnel, and logistics staff.
While the financial incentive to restore those races is significant, the appetite within the paddock is limited. At present, it feels unlikely.
Is F1 heading in the right direction with the current rules?
DriveRaceWin
Honestly—no.
The current regulations are extremely complex and place heavy constraints on engineers. While they were designed to attract new manufacturers such as Audi, Honda, Ford, and Cadillac, the result is a compromise package that nobody fully loves, but everyone accepted at the time.
The hybrid system in particular adds unnecessary complexity and risks moving Formula 1 into territory already occupied by Formula E.
Personally, I would prefer a simpler approach: a more traditional combustion engine running on sustainable fuel. That still aligns with global road relevance—given the billions of combustion vehicles still in use worldwide—while avoiding excessive technical layering that complicates the racing product.
Sustainable fuel would also give F1 more time to evolve without locking itself into overly rigid hybrid architecture.
Can Kimi Antonelli beat George Russell? Can McLaren challenge Mercedes?
Mark
I can’t speak for other journalists, but there is a genuine belief that Kimi Antonelli is the real deal.
His raw speed is undeniable, and he has taken a significant step forward this season. If that development continues, he will absolutely be discussed as a future championship contender.
Whether that happens this year depends on consistency across a full season, but he already has a car capable of winning a title. The very best tend to take their first real opportunity seriously—and he looks like he could be in that category.
As for McLaren, it’s still early in the season. Three races in is not enough to draw firm conclusions.
However, the challenge is not just closing the gap to Mercedes—it is surpassing them. To win a championship, McLaren would need sustained dominance over the factory team, not just occasional wins. That is a very difficult task, even with competitive machinery.