Vettel Says F1 Can Keep the Thrill While Fixing 2026 Power‑Unit Issues
His Monza run in Schumacher’s 2002 Ferrari underlined driver worries about engine sound and overtaking control and prompted the FIA to promise staged power‑unit tweaks.
Overview
- Vettel drove Michael Schumacher’s 2002 Ferrari at Monza this month and used the contrast with modern cars to highlight how sound and feel shape fan and driver experience.
- Multiple current drivers have complained that the 2026 power‑unit architecture can make overtaking feel like an electronic process controlled by a button rather than by driver skill.
- Vettel said he does not agree with every element of the 2026 rules but argued that Formula 1 can pair exciting wheel‑to‑wheel racing with responsible, sustainable technology.
- The FIA has confirmed it will make staged modifications to the 2026 power units over the next couple of years to improve driver engagement and address the complaints.
- Vettel backed sustainable and synthetic fuels as a path forward and noted discussions about returning to larger, louder engines around 2030–2031 as a longer‑term option.