Overview
- Drivers warned of a high risk of a major crash after chaotic Melbourne getaways, citing uneven battery levels and anti‑stall events that created large speed differentials off the line.
- Russell detailed a formation‑lap harvest‑limit quirk that disadvantaged front‑row starters and said any fix requires a team supermajority that he claims Ferrari is withholding.
- Max Verstappen said he is in talks with F1 and the FIA about improving the new energy‑heavy rules and stressed he does not want to leave the sport.
- Shanghai’s sprint format offers only one practice session, increasing operational risk with the new machinery, and drivers will be allowed a higher power‑unit recharge limit this weekend, according to RaceFans.
- Mercedes arrives as the benchmark after a Melbourne 1–2, while Ferrari will review its Australian VSC pit calls as it evaluates updates for the SF‑26 in China.