Lucas Di Grassi calls for FIA modernisation after backlash to new F1 rules: “I want to see pure performance”

Formula E veteran Lucas Di Grassi has given his verdict on the new F1 rules as the Australian Grand Prix had several drivers including Max Verstappen and Lando Norris expressed their disappointment over the new F1 cars. The Lola Yamaha ABT driver has shortlisted the underlying issues he feels exist in the FIA and has called for a more modern approach to multiple formats to keep each format unique and different from one another.

Lucas Di Grassi calls for FIA overhaul amid backlash to new F1 rules

After the Australian Grand Prix, Lucas Di Grassi shared a video on Instagram and captioned it: “The sport could do better. We always have to strive for excellence.# #f1 #formula1 #fia #rules.”

The Formula E veteran said in the video, “Just because I've seen so many negative comments about the new Formula 1 rules… The rules are decided by the FIA, both in sporting and technical terms. And you have smart and intelligent people within the FIA. But the way the structure is organized, the way the rules are decided, they aren't always aligned with the best interests of the promotional party. Parties like Formula One, Formula E, or WEC.

“There's a bit of a disconnect between what the FIA decides and what the FIA wants, and what's needed for the sport, in my opinion, especially on the promotional side. Also, because it's a federation, there's no FIA ownership, so they shy away from a number of innovations and a number of different approaches and incentives that could be put in place to accelerate that innovation faster or to choose the right path, rules, or the technical and sporting rights, so that the sport could thrive in the right way. So you end up with some discrepancies, such as, for example, with the rules that F1 has now in 2026, or for example, it took more than seven, eight years to get involved in Formula 8 traffic in four-by-four,” he added.

What Lucas Di Grassi wants from the FIA

Further sharing what he wants to see from the FIA, Lucas Di Grassi said, “So there are many examples that I believe if they were better organized and if the instances and structure within the FIA were a little more modern, we would have achieved this much more quickly. Including making the championships, the feeder series and the lower-level championships, cheaper and more accessible. So, I hope we can change these structures, modernize the FIA, make better decisions that influence the sport in a much, much better way.”

Confirming his vision for F1 and other formats, he concluded, “And… Yes, I would like to see Formula 1 with pure performance, I would like to see Formula E with pure efficiency, I would like to see the WEC with road-relevant technologies, very discreet, different technologies, working side by side, but not cannibalizing each other, not with many innovations that used to happen in the past, when there was more freedom. Anyway, there are many things to do, but I hope this will be for the best of our sport.”

Reacting to Di Grassi’s video, a fan wrote: “I've been thinking priorities are kind of twisted lately. Looks like number one peers to please are the investors, then the manufacturers, then the sponsors and lastly the audience.” Many others expressed they agreed with his point of view.

Di Grassi still has ten days to go for the Madrid E-Prix, lined up from March 20-21. Its a new venue on the Formula E calender and a Rookie Test will also follow the E-Prix on March 22.

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