MCLAREN TO PUSH START PROCEDURE CHANGES FOR SAFETY CONCERNS
McLaren is calling for the FIA to change its race start procedure before the 2026 season, saying there are serious safety concerns after pre-season testing in Bahrain.
During the opening test, drivers were forced to rev their engines much higher and for much longer before the start. Because the MGU-H has been removed from the new power units, cars now suffer from more turbo lag. This means drivers have to hold high revs for around 10 to 15 seconds after engaging the clutch just to make sure the car launches properly.
The situation has already led to messy practice starts, including a chaotic session on the final day of the first week of testing. Teams fear that inconsistent launches could make race starts unpredictable and dangerous.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella said the issue goes beyond competition and is purely about safety.
“We are not talking about qualifying pace or race pace. We are talking about safety on the grid,” Stella explained.
He stressed that the grid is not the place for cars to hesitate or struggle to get moving. According to Stella, small adjustments to the regulations could prevent bigger risks.
Oscar Piastri also warned that the current situation could create serious problems. He compared it to Formula 2 starts, where drivers sometimes trigger anti-stall systems and lose several positions instantly.
Last season, a poor start might cost a driver a few meters. But with the 2026 cars, Piastri believes a bad launch could mean losing a variety of positions in seconds. He also pointed out that the new cars will have less downforce, which could make a tightly packed field even more dangerous at the first corner.
Meanwhile, reports suggest Ferrari had previously raised concerns about this issue. Team principal Fred Vasseur reportedly warned about the risks a year ago and asked for rule changes. At the time, those concerns were dismissed.
Ferrari is believed to have designed its 2026 power unit to handle the extra turbo lag. Because of that work, the team is said to be reluctant to support rule changes now that testing has begun.
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