Esteban Ocon Predicts Radical Shift in Driving with 2026 Formula 1 Regulations

Formula 1 is continuing to evolve in terms of regulations and driver safety. The modern 2026 F1 regulations are aimed at making racing more agile and enjoyable throughout the grid. Though the previous ground-effect era proved to be extremely difficult for many drivers, it produced some good racing. Now, Haas driver Esteban Ocon opens up on how driving experience will change significantly with the newly introduced regulations.

The 2026 F1 regulations will introduce massive changes to the cars, with a heavier focus on hybrid power units and active aerodynamics. The regulations have received mixed opinions from the entire F1 community, with the likes of Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, and others being skeptical of the change after sessions on the simulator.

Esteban Ocon joins the bandwagon and claims that the modern regulation era will certainly demand a massive shift in driving style for the drivers. Ocon explained that the newer cars had a very specific way of driving and required more management on the engine side. Regardless, the car had great balance throughout, but he couldn’t see the full picture from just the simulator sessions.

It’s a very particular way of driving the car. There’s going to be a lot more management on the engine side and on the hybrid side, The car itself felt pretty good. The balance was decent, although of course it was our first taste in the simulator, so we need to see how it is in reality, but the level of grip was good.

Esteban Ocon said, as reported by motorsport.com

Esteban Ocon explained that the biggest change in the car remained on the engine side. Though Ocon pointed out that the new challenge was exciting. The Frenchman asserted that drivers needed to forget everything they learnt since their karting days about how to be fast in a car. The Haas F1 star was up for the challenge to learn everything from scratch and start performing well on the grid.

Clearly, the biggest change is from the engine side, and that’s going to be the key for us to be prepared. It’s an exciting challenge, and it’s a different way of driving compared to before. I think we can forget everything that we’ve learned since go-karts on how to go fast, but it will be interesting to learn a new driving style and hopefully find speed with it.

Esteban Ocon added

Esteban Ocon predicts timeline for teams to fully understand 2026 F1 regulations

Understandably, none of the teams seems to be the clear favorite in terms of performance on the grid in the new regulations. Even Esteban Ocon predicts that it will take a couple of races before the teams grasp a full understanding of the rules and then start development over the year. Still, Ocon reckons that the final pecking order might not be revealed until the very end of the first season of the new regulations.

Esteban Ocon highlighted that by the third or fourth race, the teams might start to understand the new regulations. The Frenchman predicts a lot of development in cars, especially in the first year. Ocon pointed out that the teams and drivers needed to focus on grabbing as many points as possible early on, as teams will start to catch on by the final half of the 2026 season.

I’d say by the third or fourth race we’ll have some indication, but it won’t be the final pecking order because there’s going to be a lot of development, especially in this first year, It’s definitely worth taking all the points you can as early as you can, but even if we’re not exactly where we want to be, there are still things to grab in the middle of the season where lots of teams will be bringing updates.

Esteban Ocon noted

The 2026 season will certainly be exciting for producing better racing and reshuffling the team standings. Despite Mercedes being rumored to be at the forefront of power unit development, it will take some time for them to put their foot down and start winning races. It will be interesting to see if any of the midfield team starts to perform better and becomes a contender for race wins.

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