Valtteri Bottas has revealed that Formula 1 drivers have a WhatsApp group chat where votes were cast on the 2026 regulations. The Cadillac driver lifted the lid on the communication channel ahead of the Miami Grand Prix.
Background on 2026 Regulations
Several drivers had voiced concerns about this season's cars, which are powered by hybrid engines and rely on higher levels of electrical energy than ever before. DRS has been replaced by 'overtake mode', and battery management has become a critical aspect of racing, leading to more overtaking but accusations of manufactured action.
Following meetings between F1 stakeholders in April, rule changes were introduced, including a reduced recharge in qualifying, increased super-clipping power to cut duration, a boost cap of +150 kW, and measures to slow race starts.
Bottas Backs Changes
Bottas admitted he supports the modifications, particularly those addressing closing speeds at corners, in the wake of Ollie Bearman's 50G crash at Suzuka in late March. Speaking to journalists, he said: "All the new adjustments to the rules - it makes sense. I think it's in the right direction in terms of trying to have less gaps with the closing speeds, perhaps a little bit less aggressive clipping at the end of the straights, so that makes sense. I think it's still quite a small step, but a step into the right direction."
He added: "I mean, you could do a bigger change, but at the same time, I think what is tricky is that I understand that you don't want to penalise any teams that have done well. You don't want to make changes that would change the order of the teams or anything like this. Mid-season, doing big, big changes it's quite tricky so I think it's a good good first step."
Drivers' Role in Shaping Rules
The Finn was quizzed about the part drivers played in shaping the 2026 regulation changes. The 36-year-old disclosed that votes were cast via a group chat. He said: "Yeah, so we, all drivers, we have this group chat on WhatsApp. So we've been communicating there quite a lot and especially after Japan. We did some votes and stuff like that, but everything is kind of aligned. I think everyone agrees it's stepped in the right direction."
He continued: "But now we need to see these things in action. But I think all the drivers are aligned. It's sometimes only a couple of drivers that speak to the FIA, but normally they speak on behalf of all of us, the GPDA (Grand Prix Drivers' Association)."
