McLaren urges FIA to tighten 2026 safety rules before Australian opener

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella warned the FIA that the 2026 car package carries three avoidable safety risks that should be fixed before the Australian Grand Prix. Bahrain testing showed cars running tightly, unpredictable starts and lift‑and‑coast tactics, prompting Stella to call for simple rule tweaks that would boost safety without hurting performance.

Why it matters:

• A stalled or slow start creates a queue on the grid, raising the risk of rear‑end collisions.
• Close running without DRS and lift‑and‑coast tactics produce sudden speed changes that can cause high‑speed rear‑impact crashes, as seen in past Valencia and Estoril incidents.

The details:

• Make sure every power unit is fully charged and ready before the lights go out, guaranteeing a clean launch.
• Cap battery discharge during lift‑and‑coast phases to curb large speed differentials.
• Add a short post‑light buffer to give drivers extra reaction time and smooth the launch phase.

What's next:

• Stella will table the proposals at next week’s F1 Commission meeting, seeking a vote before the Melbourne race.
• He argues safety trumps any competitive edge; the changes are technically simple.
• If passed, the rules would tighten start safety, limit extreme closing speeds and keep the 2026 era safer.