Nico Hülkenberg comes with a striking counterpoint amid the ongoing discussion about the 2026 regulations. The FIA announced, after the earlier rule changes prior to the GP Miami, that the engine regulations will be further overhauled for 2027. According to Hülkenberg, however, the first races under the 2026 rules were entertaining: ‘If you don’t like it, you don’t have to watch,’ said the current Audi driver.
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The 2026 regulations remain a popular topic of discussion even after the implementation of rule changes last April. After the GP Miami, opinions are still divided, with several drivers – including Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz – concluding that the regulatory adjustments have not gone far enough. Nico Hülkenberg, meanwhile, holds a very different opinion.
According to the Audi driver, change is simply part of motorsport. “Honestly, it has always been like that in F1, hasn’t it? Formula 1 is about technological progress, and you have to keep up with the times,” the 38-year-old German told The Drive.
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“If you look at the car industry from five years ago, or even ten years ago, it’s different now,” he continues. “I think if you look at the races now, the first three races we have had in 2026, they have been entertaining. It was fun to watch with lots of action on the track. And I mean, if you don’t like it, you don’t have to watch.”
Audi
The 2026 regulations were initially designed with the goal of attracting new engine manufacturers, including Hülkenberg’s current employer Audi, to Formula 1. Despite the heavy criticism, the premier class does not seem to want to deviate entirely from the chosen path – also with the announced rule changes for 2027.
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