The debate around the new 2026 rules in F1 is growing louder, and one of the sport’s closest rivals has now joined the discussion. Alberto Longo, co-founder and chief championship officer of Formula E, said he believes F1 is “making a mistake” by shifting too far toward electric-style racing.
Longo spoke as criticism builds after the opening races of the 2026 season. Teams and drivers have raised concerns about how the new hybrid systems affect racing, especially the way battery energy shapes driving and speed.
Longo said he still enjoys watching F1. But he believes the championship risks losing part of what made it special.
What Longo said about F1’s 2026 rules
The 2026 season brought one of the biggest technical changes in F1 history. Both the car design and the power unit rules changed at the same time.
The new engines rely far more on electrical power. The hybrid system now supplies about 50% of the car’s total output.
F1 also replaced the drag reduction system with an electric-based overtaking system. Drivers can activate Overtake mode when they run within a second of another car. A second feature, Boost mode, allows extra electric power at the driver’s choice during the lap.
These changes have produced unusual effects on the track. One example is “super clipping,” where the energy system limits power, and the car slows even while the driver presses the accelerator.
Longo said the direction feels too close to the electric championship he helped launch in 2014.
“I definitely believe that they decided to go for certain regulations that probably are damaging their spectacle and their show a little bit,” Longo said via Motorsport. “In my opinion, as a fan, I think they are making a mistake.”
He made the comments while discussing the new rules and the growing overlap between the two series.
“I think they are getting closer and closer to us,” Longo said. “We do not have exclusivity, but we do have expertise already on that.”
He added that F1 should stay true to its core identity.
Formula E has the expertise, Longo says
Longo argued that the problem is not just the new direction. He said F1 is trying to solve challenges that Formula E has spent years learning to manage.
Drivers in the opening race of the season in Melbourne reported running out of electrical energy on the straights. The problem seems to get even worse on tracks with few heavy braking zones (like Albert Park), which limit energy recovery.
Formula E cars operate differently. Drivers can run the series’ Attack Mode at 350kW for up to six minutes without losing speed on straights.
Longo pointed to that contrast when explaining why the two series should remain separate.
“Yes, we can use eight minutes or six minutes of Attack Mode, and the car doesn’t slow down,” he said. “They are noise, they are full power, they are breaking the latest technologies. This is what Formula 1 is about. We are a completely different proposition.”
He said each championship serves a different purpose for fans and manufacturers.
“Formula E on steroids”: the driver verdict
Drivers have been the most vocal in questioning the direction of the new cars.
During preseason testing, reigning world champion Max Verstappen described the new F1 machines as “Formula E on steroids.” His remark reflected a wider concern that battery management now plays too big a role in racing.
Several drivers say the need to manage electrical energy forces them to change how they race. They worry that strategy and energy saving may matter more than raw speed.
Longo did not react with anger to the comparison.
“I think there is a very old saying in Spanish that says, ‘let them talk,’” he said. “If you’re in the mouth of the people, it’s because you’re important.”
He said the comments only show that Formula E now holds a clear place in the motorsport world.
F1 may draw on Formula E’s talent
Longo also predicted that F1’s move toward stronger hybrid systems will have another effect. He expects teams to look toward Formula E for knowledge and talent.
According to Motorsport, some Formula E drivers already help F1 teams with simulator work. Engineers with experience in electric power systems are also in demand.
Longo said the trend will likely grow.
“As Formula 1 is becoming more electric or becoming more hybrid, definitely I’m sure there will be fishing in our power in terms of technical people, engineers, even drivers,” he said.
He added that F1 teams may try to recruit people from Formula E teams and manufacturers to improve their understanding of the new engines.
While F1 deals with its new rules, Formula E is preparing its next generation of cars.
The championship has introduced the Gen4 machine for the 2026-27 season. Longo said the new car will allow racing on wider tracks and at more traditional circuits.
One example could be the full circuit at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City. Formula E has usually used a shorter layout there.
Longo believes the next generation of cars will close the performance gap between electric racing and traditional circuit racing.
The wider context: Is F1 backing itself into a corner?
F1 may not be able to change course quickly. The sport’s 2026 power units are now homologated, which limits major upgrades for several years.
That means teams must work within the current framework as they learn more about the new hybrid systems.
The FIA and F1 plan to review the regulations with teams after the Chinese Grand Prix. Officials want to study race data before deciding whether adjustments are needed.
For Longo, the issue already looks clear. After helping build a global electric championship from scratch, he believes F1 risks moving too far from its roots.
The coming races will show whether the sport can fix the problems or whether the criticism keeps growing.
