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Piastri: 'F1 Drivers Powerless Due to Engine Software'
Oscar Piastri sharply criticizes the new F1 engine regulations, which leave drivers with too little control over power delivery and at times render them passengers, especially on fast circuits.
By Patrick Koster - 2026-07-24T07:03:38.000Z - 2 min read
Frustration among Formula 1 drivers regarding the new 2026 engine regulations is mounting. Oscar Piastri recently voiced sharp criticism over the limited control drivers retain over their cars' power units. According to the Australian, this state of affairs can lead to a sense of powerlessness, with engine software playing too dominant a role in determining final lap times.
Particularly at high-speed tracks such as Spa-Francorchamps and Silverstone, the shortcomings of the current power units were painfully laid bare. On these fast circuits featuring long straights and demanding corners, drivers find that even minor adjustments in their driving technique produce a significant, unintended impact on available engine power. This makes it difficult for them to consistently push the car to its limit.
Piastri explained that the engine's hybrid component now supplies a vastly larger portion of total power than before. While small errors had less impact with older hybrid units due to a smaller electrical share, roughly half of the power now originates from the hybrid system. Consequently, every slight variation or flaw in setup or software carries a massive impact on performance.
While drivers can deploy a 'boost button', primarily for overtaking, broader control over power delivery is virtually non-existent. Piastri described occasionally feeling like a passenger, with complex engine software largely dictating speed rather than the precise manner in which he attacks a corner. For a racer, that dynamic feels fundamentally wrong.
The Belgian Grand Prix served as a clear case in point. On the long straights of Spa and even through the middle sector, cars occasionally ran solely on the internal combustion engine without electrical deployment. This created an unnatural driving experience, forcing drivers to tackle corners with fluctuating power levels. As a result, the smallest differences in engine programming had a direct and significant impact on lap times.
Although Piastri expects engine manufacturers to find ways to mitigate these limitations as they gain more experience with the regulations, he remains skeptical about a complete fix within the current rules framework. Still, he anticipates that the issues will be less prominent at the Hungaroring, where shorter straights will limit the impact of power fluctuations.