On the occasion of the launch of the brand-new Up To Speed, I had the opportunity to sit down for an extended and exclusive conversation with David Coulthard and Will Buxton. What began as a discussion around their new project quickly evolved into a deep dive into Formula 1’s most radical regulatory overhaul in over a decade: the 2026 season.
The new power unit regulations, featuring significantly increased electrical deployment and revised aerodynamic concepts, have already sparked debate in the paddock. Some drivers have suggested the cars demand heavy energy management, even drawing comparisons to Formula E. Others frame the shift as a necessary compromise to attract and retain manufacturers.
Coulthard views the noise from a perspective.
“This isn’t a testing world championship, – he tells Paddock Magazine. “It’s the racing world championship. I’m perfectly happy to wait for Melbourne. On Saturday, we’ll see a qualifying order. On Sunday, we’ll see who’s mastered the tools they’ve been given. And within a handful of races, we’ll understand how it really works.”
For the 13-time Grand Prix winner, technological disruption is intrinsic to Formula 1. “There’s always been someone with an advantage – engine, chassis or driver. A race is a race. If you’re on a bicycle, it’s still racing. In a Formula 1 car, you just have to figure it out.”
Buxton, who has witnessed multiple regulatory cycles during his decades in the sport, echoes that calm assessment.
“These regulations were shaped in part to bring new manufacturers in or keep them in” – he explains. “It can be true that the cars are challenging to drive, and it can be true that this is the right long-term direction. But this is early days. Where we are now isn’t where we’ll be mid-season.”
History, he argues, supports that view. “When hybrid systems first arrived, people said they would ruin Formula 1. Instead, they defined an era. If something doesn’t quite work, the sport finds a solution. It always does.”
One team facing intense scrutiny is Aston Martin F1 Team, whose ambitious technical structure and manufacturer backing have raised expectations ahead of the reset.
“I wouldn’t underestimate them.”
“Has it been a flawless start? No” – Coulthard admits. “But combinations of elite engineering leadership and world-class drivers can be extremely potent. I wouldn’t underestimate them.”
Buxton adds a note of realism: “If big names guaranteed instant success, Ferrari would never have stopped winning. The margins are incredibly tight. Progress takes time.”
And perhaps that is the defining theme of 2026: adaptation. The tools may change. The balance of performance may shift. But as Coulthard concludes, “It’s still about the fastest minds and the fastest drivers competing to win. The rest is detail.”
Up To Speed with David Coulthard, Will Buxton, Naomi Schiff, and Jolie Sharpe is available wherever you get your podcasts, Mondays and Thursdays.