A New Start? F1 Drivers Fight for Safer Beginnings

The world of Formula 1 is buzzing with talks about changing the way races begin. Drivers and teams say the current start process is risky, especially with the new 2026 cars. During early tests, drivers struggled to launch quickly. They must keep the turbo ready for about ten seconds and avoid draining the battery too early. One driver said it feels “a mess” because the timing is hard to manage. Safety worries grow as mistakes happen often in practice. Some experts think one out of every twenty starts goes wrong. When a car is slow at the line, it can lead to crashes. Back‑of‑grid drivers worry even more. They have very little time between lining up and the lights turning on.A famous driver asked if there is enough time to spin his turbo before the start. The FIA may discuss changes next week. Two ideas are on the table: give drivers more time before the lights start, or allow battery help earlier. The current rules let drivers use the battery only after reaching 50 km/h and only to charge, not boost. But a big obstacle remains: Ferrari blocked a similar change last year. Ferrari said the turbo problems were known during design, so they won’t accept new rules that favor other teams. Ferrari’s engines may already handle turbo lag better than others. If the FIA can find a fair compromise, race starts could become safer for everyone.