Coulthard urges ban on energy harvesting at Eau Rouge over safety concerns

David Coulthard, a 13‑time Grand Prix winner, says the 2026 hybrid regulations are creating unsafe speed differentials in the sport’s fastest corners. At Spa‑Francorchamps’ Eau Rouge, harvesting can add 30‑40 mph, leaving drivers with virtually no reaction time. He argues that such sections should be exempt from harvesting to protect drivers and keep racing genuine.

Why it matters:

The sudden 30‑40 mph jump in a blind, high‑speed corner can turn a close battle into a crash, as the Suzuka incident with Oliver Bearman showed. Unpredictable acceleration forces drivers to brake early or avoid overtaking, eroding F1’s skill‑driven appeal. The FIA’s credibility hinges on protecting drivers while embracing new technology.

The details:

• Regulation change – The 2026 hybrid rule lets cars harvest kinetic energy in any corner and deploy it later, causing sudden 30‑40 mph speed gaps.
• Suzuka crash – Oliver Bearman spun after a slower car suddenly accelerated post‑harvest, underscoring the danger of unpredictable closing speeds.
• Coulthard’s proposal– He argues Eau Rouge’s steep rise and limited sightlines make such gaps deadly and urges the FIA to exempt high‑speed sections from harvesting; the FIA has already trimmed qualifying limits but more is needed.

What's next:

The FIA says it will keep reviewing the rules, and a corner‑specific exemption could arrive before the next European race. Teams will lobby for clarity while drivers press for a safer envelope that restores the “edge of adhesion” feel. Failure to act could shift the debate from spectacle to safety.