A few weeks ago, I wrote about how this Formula 1 season may be the most exciting one in years. Three races into the season, the new regulations have led to some exciting moments. However, some of the “improvements” have the potential to cause serious danger. Some of the regulations include a new start system and a new ratio compression system that some teams are taking advantage of.
It wasn’t until last week at the Japanese Grand Prix that all 22 completed a single racing lap this season. Oscar Piastri finally started his 2026 championship campaign after not being able to race in Australia due to a crash and unable to race in China due to car issues. The cars are bound to have issues throughout the season, but on race two, this was very shocking.
McLaren isn’t the only team with issues. Aston Martin has had problems since before race one, and their drivers' safety is at risk. The Aston Martin car, powered by Honda, has extreme vibrations from the power unit, and could leave its drivers, Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll, with permanent nerve damage. The team didn’t finish a race until last week in Japan; even then, it was only one car that was able to finish.
While some teams are struggling with the new regulations, other teams are thriving. Some of the newly introduced regulations include a new start system and mainly a new ratio compression system some teams are taking advantage of. The Mercedes team has been a top contender in F1 for a while now and this season they are taking advantage of a loophole found in the new regulations.
There is a 16:1 compression ratio limit for the cars while cool. However, Mercedes is said to have found an 18:1 ratio while hot and running, which means they are technically within the rules since their compression ratio while cool is 16:1. This change has given them tenths of seconds on laps.
Four out of the five engine providers in F1 protested this difference in ratio, and it was successful. The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile said Mercedes had to change their compression ratio to comply, and they are giving the team a June 1 deadline. This gives Mercedes five races to run with their illegal car. It would have been seven if not for the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prixs.
Since the FIA deemed the cars' compression ratio illegal, Mercedes should’ve changed it immediately; it’s unfair to allow them to run their car with this clear advantage.
While Mercedes is running an illegal car, there are other new additions to the cars that can cause serious harm to drivers. There is risk in F1 and all motorsports. With vehicles going over 100 miles per hour while racing, it’s known to be a dangerous sport.
In Japan, Haas driver Oliver Bearman crashed at high speed and had a 50 G-force collision with the barriers. Bearman was limping away from the crash but was given the all clear from the medical staff. Again, crashes happen in F1, but this one was unique because of the speed at which he was driving and how slow the car in front was driving.
This was a result of the new regulations. Other drivers had warned the FIA of a dangerous crash before it happened. The new regulations create a “mushroom in Mario Kart” feeling for drivers when using the boost and overtake buttons.
If a car is harvesting battery, the lights on the back of the car don’t blink to warn drivers behind that it is slower due to harvesting. Bearman's crash happened because Bearman had been using boost and overtaking, while the car in front had just shifted into harvesting mode, going way slower than Bearman. This caused Bearman to swerve into the barriers because he didn’t get any indication the car in front was slowing down.
Luckily, Bearman was OK, but the FIA should’ve listened to drivers; it could have prevented this crash.
There has been no word on whether the FIA is going to change regulations so that drivers behind will be warned about drivers in harvesting mode, but the FIA should change it to prevent another huge impact crash from happening.
With new regulations, this F1 season has seen a lot of ups and downs in only three races, and there is more to come. However, the FIA has to fix the issues that have been presented for fairer and safer racing.
Cassie is a senior studying communications at Ohio University. Please note the views expressed in this column do not reflect those of The Post. Want to talk to Cassie? Email her at cb086021@ohio.edu.
