Carlos Sainz Urges FIA and FOM to Remain Flexible on 2026 Energy Rules Following Bahrain Tests

Williams' Carlos Sainz urges FIA and FOM to be open to adjusting 2026 energy rules after Bahrain testing. Read why he's worried about Melbourne and Jeddah.

By: AXL Media

Published: Feb 26, 2026, 7:41 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Motorsport.com

The Reality Check of Pre-Season Testing

As the 2026 Formula 1 season approaches its March opener in Melbourne, the theoretical models of the new regulations are finally being tested against the physical reality of the track. Following the conclusion of the final pre-season test in Bahrain, Williams driver Carlos Sainz has expressed concerns about the "exaggerated" nature of the new energy management protocols. The 2026 cars feature a radical shift in power delivery, moving toward an almost equal split between the internal combustion engine and electric power. According to Sainz, the data gathered in Bahrain suggests that the current rules may be pushing the hardware beyond the point of optimal racing performance.

The Challenge of Energy-Demanding Circuits

While Bahrain's layout provided an initial baseline, Sainz is particularly wary of upcoming high-speed street circuits and high-downforce tracks. He identified Albert Park in Melbourne and the Jeddah Corniche Circuit as potential "breaking points" for the current energy harvesting regulations. These tracks feature long periods of wide-open throttle followed by heavy braking zones, which may require a level of harvesting that is difficult to achieve without significant "clipping" (losing power at the end of straights). Sainz warned that if the regulations are too rigid, the "show" could suffer as drivers spend more time managing battery levels than wheel-to-wheel racing.

A Call for Regulatory Agility

Sainz’s message to the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile) and FOM (Formula One Management) is one of flexibility. "I think the start of the year, we need to stay a bit open-minded in case the regulations that we've come up with are maybe a bit exaggerated," Sainz told Motorsport.com. He acknowledged that the massive technical shift was difficult for even the most advanced simulators to predict accurately. However, he argued that once the cars begin racing in earnest, the governing bodies should be prepared to "fine-tune" the deployment levels to ensure the category remains competitive and entertaining for the fans.