“We already changed massively the rule of the start with the five‑second story,” Vasseur said in Shanghai. “One year ago I went to the FIA, I raised the concern on the starting procedure, said, ‘guys, it will be difficult’.
The reply was clear: we have to design the car fitting with the regulation and not to change the regulation fitting with the car.
“We designed the car fitting with the regulations, enough is enough.”
The 2026 F1 regulations, with a 50/50 split of electrical and combustion power and the removal of the MGU‑H, have made starts trickier. Drivers have reported struggling to get the right launch, partly due to battery limits on the formation lap.
Mercedes’ George Russell, who has won two of the first three races, criticised teams blocking further changes. “The FIA were looking to potentially adjust that but, as you can imagine, some teams who are making good starts didn’t want it, which I think is just a little bit silly,” Russell said.
“I’m not overly concerned, but it’s definitely a challenge. The FIA did just want to make our life easier and just remove this harvest limit but, as often, people have selfish views and they want to do what’s best for themselves, and that’s a part of Formula 1 and part of the challenge of Formula 1.”
Russell has repeatedly lost positions at the start to Ferrari despite Mercedes’ strong pace. Ferrari’s advantage in launches is now a key strategic edge, which Vasseur is keen to protect.
Pressed if the issue is truly over, Vasseur replied simply: “For me, yes.” With a supermajority required to change the start procedure – and Ferrari and its engine partners unlikely to support it – the debate looks set to remain settled.
The 2026 Formula 1 season continues with the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka (March 27–29), now the third round following Australia and China, after the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix were cancelled due to regional conflict.
