Carlos Sainz demands change in impassioned appeal: 'It never should have happened'

Carlos Sainz has reiterated his call for changes to the F1 regulations, insisting the current rules package should never have been approved in its present form after drivers experienced a diminished challenge at Spa-Francorchamps.

The Williams driver, who serves as a director of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association, delivered his most pointed assessment yet of the regulations ahead of this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix, where the inherent issues with the rules are most amplified.

His team-mate, Alex Albon, had earlier noted that the legendary circuit probably requires the biggest change in driving technique under the new rules.

When those remarks were put to Sainz, and he was asked whether the challenge of Spa-Francorchamps had been neutered, the Spaniard offered a candid and punchy response.

"I think no one out there is enjoying the qualifying lap as much as we did last year," Sainz told media, including RacingNews365. "I think it's clear that we've lost quite a bit with these cars around Spa.

"Having said that, don't want to keep belittling my own sport because it's not gonna do any good. So I think we all know this is not good enough. That needs to change. It will change. It will evolve."

Clear, but measured criticism

The new power units, with their vastly increased electrical component and reduced combustion engine output, force drivers to manage energy deployment throughout the lap.

At a power-sensitive and energy-poor circuit defined by its long straights and fearsome high-speed corners, the effect is pronounced.

Drivers are no longer able to attack every metre of track; they must calculate where to spend and where to harvest energy.

For all his criticism, Sainz was careful to frame his remarks constructively. He acknowledged that the championship continues to thrive and that the racing, if imperfect, has proven entertaining.

However, the four-time grand prix winner did not hold back when questioning how the regulations reached this point, directing his frustration at the decision-making process years before the rules came into force.

He added: "Hopefully next year is a step better, and a year after another step better. But what I said is, 'Whoever saw these simulations in 2022, 2023, and then looked at it and said, "How can we even accept that?"'

"It needs to be reviewed, what happened there, because it should have never happened. But now we're here. We are having some exciting races. The sport is still growing. So, time to move on."