Karun Chandhok during the Spanish Grand Prix - Photo: Race Pictures

Karun Chandhok delivers blunt verdict on 2026 F1 cars

14:29, 13 Oct

bySamson Ero

Karun Chandhok hasn’t held back his thoughts about Formula 1’s regulation changes. The former driver believes the sport would be much better without the hybrid overhaul set for the 2026 campaign.

“This is not the way I would have liked to have seen F1 go in the future.”

- Karun Chandhok

The 41-year-old, who spoke via Reddit, touched on the direction the sport is headed. Chandhok expressed that he would have preferred a return to the V8 engines.

“We have new rules coming into Formula 1 for next season, which will be very different. It’s the first time that the hybrid systems will make up 50% of the power; you’ll have 50% electrical, 50% from the engine itself.”

“It will be a very different car. I think the way the racing will be will be quite different as well. The drivers will have to think much more strategically about how they manage their energy. For me, this is not the way I would have liked to have seen F1 go in the future. You know, these rules were committed to some time ago to get everyone ready in time.”

Karun Chandhok during the Dutch Grand Prix - Photo: Race Pictures

“They needed three or four years to get the engines and power units ready for next season. Personally, I would have preferred F1 going down the path of V8s with sustainable fuel, getting rid of the hybrid system altogether, going for smaller, lighter cars, much more agile, and with pure sound as well.”

The former Lotus driver, however, urged patience before any verdict is passed on the major changes.

“That would have been more exciting for the fans. We now have what we have, and let’s give it the benefit of the doubt and see how the racing is next year before we judge it.”

The 2026 Formula 1 campaign will mark the start of one of the biggest regulation changes ever witnessed in the sport’s storied history. Changes will be made to the car engines, chassis, and overall aerodynamics. These changes, however, have continued to attract mixed reactions from various stakeholders within F1.

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Team bosses react to 2026 F1 changes

Several team bosses weighed in on the major regulation changes Formula 1 is set to witness from the 2026 season. James Vowles, Andy Cowell, and Steve Nielsen all shared their respective opinions on the changes during the Singapore Grand Prix.

The trio, however, echoed a joint sentiment that they expect a quick convergence, unlike what was experienced during the introduction of the turbo-hybrid era in 2014.

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