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Nigel Mansell slams F1's 'fake overtakes' as icon says he's 'very grumpy' with 2026 regulations

Formula 1 legend Nigel Mansell has hit out at the controversial current regulations after slamming the increase in overtaking as totally false

[Nigel Mansell]

Nigel Mansell has slammed the 2026 F1 regulations(Image: shared content unit/Mirrorpix)

Former Formula 1 world champion Nigel Mansell has slammed the current controversial regulations as he took aim at the increase in overtaking.

Mansell, 72, won the 1992 Drivers Championship with Williams in an era of Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher and Riccardo Patrese competing at the top. The drivability of the car was a stark contrast to the new regulations with the current grid relying on electrical charge and battery management through the 50-50 hybrid power units.

The changes have seen an increase in overtakes, but at the expense of lap times going down and the reliance on harvesting energy every lap to have the power to overtake and then subsequently re-overtake cars.

[Nigel Mansell]

Nigel Mansell has joined the vocal critics of the new F1 regulations

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Mansell has joined the likes of Max Verstappen to criticise the new regulations, speaking to Autosport, the former Lotus, Williams and Ferrari star said: I might get shot for saying this, but sadly, some of the overtakes are just totally false.

I mean, some of the overtakes look great and then you come out the next corner, and then the car just blasts past you and the other car goes backwards because the 'computer' is giving you the extra power not at the right time, and the driver doesnt control that obviously, because he wouldnt have employed it.

Following the Japanese Grand Prix, world champion Lando Norris admitted he didnt want to engage in a battle on track with Lewis Hamilton because of the likelihood of the Ferrari star immediately taking the position back by conserving more energy.

[Lando Norris]

Lando Norris admitted he didn't attack Lewis Hamilton for fear of being re-overtaken

Mansell referred to the incident as one of the key reasons why the new regulations are not working. He said: I think it was Lando [Norris] who quoted, Well, I didnt want to overtake him going into the first corner and into the chicane, but I had no choice.

And then coming out of the corner, hes in the lead and then the car just blasts past him again going down the straight.

So I think youve got to be very careful because, forget me, it doesnt matter about me, but the fans around the world, I know an awful lot of them are very grumpy. And to be fair to the fans, I agree with them.

The Suzuka Grand Prix also caused safety concerns among drivers to again be raised following Ollie Bearmans terrifying crash after having to take evasive action when encountering Franco Colapintos Alpine slowing down due to battery usage.

F1 have confirmed that refinements to the regulations have been made ahead of this weekends Miami race but it remains to be seen how it will impact the racing spectacle.

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