Carlos Sainz wonders: “How could one accept that?”

– Carlos Sainz has renewed his criticism of the current Formula 1 regulations, although he emphasizes that he does so reluctantly in order not to further discredit his sport. But the current “driving fun” in Spa is simply too much for many drivers: “I think no one out there enjoys the qualifying lap as much as last year,” he says. “I think it is obvious that we have lost quite a lot with these cars in Spa.”

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This is particularly evident at the end of Blanchimont, where the cars lose around 50 km/h, simply due to the loss of electrical power from the MGU-K. Comparing Lando Norris’s pole lap from last season with Kimi Antonelli’s lap from 2026, the cars are also up to 40 km/h slower in Pouhon.

Verstappen spoke of “Formula 3 cars with Formula 1 downforce,” as the drivers now only drive with the approximately 500 hp of the combustion engine through the former courage corner.

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In general, Sainz feels a bit uneasy constantly badmouthing his own sport, “because it doesn’t help,” he says. “I think we all know that this is not good enough.”

Nevertheless, the Williams driver once again expresses criticism and questions who could have approved the current regulations: “Whoever saw these simulations in 2022 and 2023 and looked at them – how could anyone accept that at all? The leadership of F1 must review what happened back then, because something like that should never have happened,” he emphasizes.

“But now we are here, we have some exciting races, the sport continues to grow, so it’s time to look ahead,” says the Spaniard.”

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For the race, Sainz expects a “hairy” first lap, especially due to the use of active aerodynamics on the Kemmel Straight in close formation flying with the other cars: “It will be tricky,” he says. “I think it will be a big challenge. The first lap will also be hairy when going up Eau Rouge, with the SLM (Straight Line Mode; editor’s note) and everything that happens up there.”

“But we’ll see. We have to try to stay alert, act smart, and play our cards right. Let’s see.”

When Lewis Hamilton is confronted with Sainz’s comments, he agrees and adds that the teams and drivers “immediately” foresaw these problems: “I mean, it’s just not good on the straights, but the cars are great in the corners. It’s just not particularly nice on the straights,” Hamilton says.

“I’m pretty sure we saw that immediately. I don’t know who made the decision, but whoever it was, they still have their job.”

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