Formula 1 News: Out of touch Tost defends 2026 rules despite driver criticism

Former Toro Rosso boss and current Red Bull consultant Franz Tost has defended Formula 1's controversial 2026 regulations, arguing that the energy management challenges were always foreseeable and extensively discussed beforehand. Speaking to Speed Week at the ADAC GT Masters at the Salzburgring, the 70-year-old stated that manufacturers pushed for the new technical direction and that driver frustration stems from losing traditional advantages like braking points and apex hitting due to mandatory throttle lifting for energy management. Tost also admitted that Kimi Antonelli has exceeded expectations in the current championship.