Ahead of crunch meeting on 2026 engine rules, the FIA president has paid tribute to the contribution from the drivers.

"The drivers have provided invaluable input on adjustments which they feel should be made, particularly in the areas of energy management to ensure safe, fair and competitive racing," he posted on social media.

"Safety and the best interests of the sport are the main focus of these discussions," he added.

"Following the meeting, the final proposals will be put before a FIA WMSC e-Vote."

The meeting he refers to takes place today (Monday), and will see the teams put forward proposals that will then be put before the World Motor Sport Council, top of the agenda being safety - in the wake of Oliver Bearman's crash in Japan - and how to address the energy management issues that are frustrating drivers and fans alike.

The drivers have been vociferous in their criticism of the rules almost from the start, with Max Verstappen, Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris among the most vocal.

On the other hand, the Mercedes pair - currently dominating the standings - have spoken in support of the changes, George Russell going so far as to claim that F1 will survive should Verstappen carry out his 'threat' and quit the sport.

However, it is not only current drivers who are critical of the rules, 1992 world champion, Nigel Mansell, a racer in the true sense of the word, and a man not afraid to speak out, has thrown his support behind the four-time world champion.

"Max is voicing his opinion," he said. "He's a class act. He's an incredible world champion. What he's done over the last five years is astonishing. He almost won the championship last year.

"He is quite rightly voicing how he feels," he continued. "Perhaps he's been a bit too strong with it. But Lando and a lot of other drivers, and if you speak to Oliver Bearman about what happened to him in Japan, the rules just need to be tweaked.

"All this harvesting, going into fast corners and slowing down 50 to 70 kilometres an hour, that's not Formula 1," he insisted. "Formula 1 is the drivers showing their talents and being able to drive the car. Alonso was very funny, saying, 'My chef can drive the car.'"

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Motorsport-fan, 4 hours ago

""Safety and the best interests of the sport" read safety and the best interests of the shareholders."

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2. Posted by JamesD, 7 hours ago

"Ben, the FIA & Liberty Media are a disgrace for the current situation that Formula 1 finds itself. But it's okay, Ben has the "president's fund" so he's alright Jack."

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3. Posted by Anthony, 8 hours ago

"Great comments from Nigel Mansell - definitely a real racer and a man worth listening to on this topic."

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Ben Sulayem lauds drivers' rules feedback

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