1996 Formula 1 world champion Damon Hill is the latest pundit to weigh in on the controversial 2026 ruleset, explaining following the Japanese Grand Prix that “tactical” racing is resulting in viewers “getting entertained”.
Going against the ‘Mario Kart’ and ‘anti-racing’ stance vehemently adopted by his fellow world champions and current drivers in Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, Hill has argued that the racing seen at Suzuka was interesting along with tactical and entertaining.
“Listen, I think, I know that some of the drivers don’t like having to slow down and charge their battery up, but I think the racing is very interesting,” Hill said speaking to F1 TV after the race.
“I think it’s tactical. They’re having to think, and we’re getting entertained.”
The increase in overtaking was a key metric that F1 showcased following the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, where there was 120 overtakes compared to last year’s race which only featured 45. However this has been the byproduct of disparity in energy usage from driver-to-driver and a critical understanding of the 50/50 combustion engine-to-hybrid energy power-units that are new for 2026.
Japan saw an extreme example of a variance in closing speeds at the Spoon Curve on Lap 22, between Ollie Bearman and Franco Colapinto. A reported 35km/h difference between the Haas and Alpine resulted in a split-second course correction from Bearman before he lost control and ultimately suffered a 50G impact. Walking away thankfully, with nothing more than a bruised right knee.
“It’s interesting, not exciting. It depends what you want out of F1, but the fans are probably happy because Suzuka is never an exciting race. It’s just follow each other around. Now, there was some swaps,” Hill’s former Williams teammate and 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve rebutted also when speaking on F1 TV.
“Yeah. I mean, we got some overtakes and then re-overtakes. Now, that very rarely happens in our sport, doesn’t it?” Hill replied.
“We’ve had three different marques in the top three, and lots of drivers there. You’ve got what six drivers that could be a winner? That’s pretty good,” the Briton then reflected on the start to the season as a whole.
Bearman’s crash however did prompt F1’s governing body in the FIA to issue a statement acknowledging the role of “high closing speeds” in the accident. But also stated that there would be no “premature” changes, while they shift their energy management review to the top of the agenda during the enforced break between now and the Miami Grand Prix in May.
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