Two F1 teams have been told that they are the reason for declining viewership figures in 2026, rather than F1’s new regulations.
Wholesale regulation changes swept into the sport at the start of this year, on both the chassis side of things and with the power units, which have seen the emphasis on electrical power tripled compared to 2025.
It has led to greater battery management responsibilities for drivers, as well as an increased number of overtakes in the first three grands prix of the year compared to the same events last year.
And this has led fans and some drivers – including four-time world champion Max Verstappen – to hit out against the new rules, with Verstappen repeatedly claiming that the new cars are not fun to drive, and threatening to retire from the sport if changes are not made.
Viewing figures in Spain from broadcaster DAZN showed a 49 per cent decrease in its live audience for last weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix compared to the 2025 event, but DAZN commentator Antonio Lobato believes that this has nothing to do with the new regulations, and is instead down to Aston Martin and Williams’ poor form.
The two Spanish drivers on the F1 grid in Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso are currently driving cars with their respective teams that are not capable of challenging for points. For Alonso, he only managed to finish a grand prix for the first time this season at the third race in Japan, but was still down in 18th.
“Iâm convinced that the reason for such a big drop in viewership has nothing to do with the regulations,” Lobato told SoyMotor.
“It has to do with the fact that Fernando and Carlos basically have no opportunities to do anything.
“That really is a rip-off (Aston Martin and Williams). Theyâre the ones you should be writing to and saying: ‘Guys, how have you managed to ruin the 2026 season for me like this?’
“Thatâs whatâs actually rubbish – not the regulations.”
Do fans dislike the new rules?
While those Spanish-specific viewing figures are down, F1’s YouTube channel has had double the amount of views in the last two months than it had at the same stage of 2025.
The three races so far have seen more overtakes than in 2025, and this has arguably made them much more entertaining, with a fair few of 2025’s races fizzling out once the cars were past turn one.
Claiming pole position for a race last year was crucial to success in the race, but the variations in starts between the different teams and drivers this year have meant that the pole sitter has not been leading the race by the start of the second lap.
Mercedes’ dominance has meant that George Russell and Kimi Antonelli have been able to come through in the end to take the three grand prix wins between them so far, but it has not been plain sailing for much of the races.
Several commentators have suggested that Verstappen’s dislike of the rules have stemmed from his poor start to the season, with his Red Bull team looking like they’re in a midfield battle at the start of 2026.