Former Formula 1 driver Jean Alesi has dismissed criticisms regarding the new technical regulations implemented this year.
The first three races of the ongoing season demonstrated that F1 continues to be at the forefront of motorsport; nonetheless, the new regulations have significantly altered racing dynamics.
While Mercedes has established a considerable lead, terms like energy harvesting, deployment, and super clipping have become part of the sport’s vocabulary, causing the early stages to yield polarized opinions.
Long-time fans have expressed outrage, and the driving community remains split; some vehemently criticize the current direction of the sport, while notable figures from the past have mixed feelings about the current state of F1.
Alesi, having initially anticipated significant challenges, swiftly adjusted to F1’s new realities. The former racer, with 201 Grand Prix starts, 2 pole positions, 32 podium finishes, and 1 victory, shared his views with RacingNews365 during the Japanese Grand Prix weekend.
“During testing, many technical challenges arose, as it’s quite complicated to manage the system, but the races have been incredible,” Alesi noted. “Based on everything I heard, I thought it would be disastrous, but when I finally watched it on TV from Australia, it was quite the opposite.”
Alesi expressed optimism about the sport’s evolution, stating, “I enjoy watching Formula 1 and believe they’ll find a path to make it as reliable as before.”
Alesi Predicts Shift in Mercedes’ Dominance
The key stakeholders—including F1, the FIA, teams, and engine manufacturers—will utilize the upcoming hiatus in April to assess the experiences from the first three races.
Based on actual data, they will deliberate on necessary adjustments to the new regulatory framework. The initial meeting is set for April 9th, with additional discussions planned before the next race.
These talks come in response to Mercedes’ emergence as the clear frontrunner in the early rounds. Many already view the season’s outcome as a given, envisioning a tight battle solely within Mercedes for the world title.
However, Alesi maintains a more optimistic outlook, stating, “It’s still in its early stages; things will evolve. Right now, qualifying seems less important than the race, as some teams excel in qualifying while struggling during the race.”
Alesi shared that during the China race, expectations of a Mercedes dominant performance did not pan out, noting, “They won, but it was competitive. At one point, George mentioned, ‘they are faster, which is a concern for me’—it proved to be a contest.”
Max Verstappen remains the most vocal critic of the new regulations, sharing concerns with colleagues like defending champion Lando Norris, who argue that the new cars deviate from traditional motorsport values. Alesi remains uncertain whether he would enjoy driving these cars today but acknowledges their technological superiority.
