Kiwi Formula 1 driver Liam Lawson has warned the new technical regulations could be "quite punishing", as drivers adjust to a major shift in how the sport's cars are driven and managed.
Under the controversial 2026 rules, power is split evenly between combustion and electrical systems, placing a far greater emphasis on drivers' energy harvesting and battery deployment during a race.
Speaking to media ahead of this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix, Lawson said the change had transformed how drivers approach a race weekend.
“They’re very different for us to drive at the moment,” he said.
“The big difference is we used to spend most of our time focusing on car setup and balance. Right now, it’s really about energy management.
“There are just more consequences when you get it wrong. If you use too much energy, it can be quite punishing. You’re doing a lot more thinking when driving,"
Ahead of Japan's race, Formula 1's governing body (FIA) announced it was tweaking energy management rules so drivers were able to push harder during qualifying.
The maximum energy teams can harvest from their power units to recharge their batteries was reduced from 9 megajoules (MJ) to 8 MJ, allowing drivers to push more during qualifying and focus less on energy management.
Lawson said he expected another challenging weekend at Suzuka, a circuit known for demanding precision and efficiency.
“I'm sure this weekend's going to be tough. We have new changes to the car this weekend that we need to adapt to, but it’s been a decent start,” he said.
The 24-year-old sits ninth in the drivers’ standings after a mixed start to the season, finishing 13th in Melbourne behind his rookie teammate before finishing seventh in Shanghai.
Mercedes' George Russell currently leads the standings, closely followed by teammate Kimi Antonelli who secured his maiden race victory in China.
The Japanese Grand Prix will take place Sunday (6pm NZT).
Verstappen ejects journalist from press conference
Despite no on-track action yet in Japan, drama has already unfolded off it — with four-time world champion Max Verstappen ordering a journalist out of a press conference.
The Dutch driver refused to begin speaking to print media at Suzuka after spotting Guardian journalist Giles Richards in the room, following an exchange between the pair last season.
“One second — I’m not speaking before he’s leaving,” Verstappen said.
“Seriously? Because of that question last year?” Richards replied.
Richards asked if the issue stemmed from a question about his collision with Russell at the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix. Verstappen then responded tersely to subsequent questions before telling Richards to "get out".
“Now we can start,” Verstappen said after Richards left.
The tension dates back to last season’s finale in Abu Dhabi, where Richards asked whether Verstappen’s clash with Russell in Spain had impacted the championship outcome.
During that race in Barcelona, Verstappen intentionally drove into Russell while battling on track, receiving a 10-second time penalty and costing him nine points. At the end of the season, Verstappen was two points shy of winning the title.
When asked in Abu Dhabi if he regretted the incident in Spain, the Dutch driver pushed back.
“You forget all the other stuff that happened in my season,” he said. “The only thing you mention is Barcelona. I knew that would come.”
Writing in The Guardian, Richards said he was “deeply disappointed” by the Suzuka exchange.
“I still admire Verstappen and I hope we can enjoy a better relationship in the future,” he wrote.
“Sometimes, difficult, awkward questions have to be asked. That’s the job that comes with the privilege.”
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