Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur expressed bewilderment over Formula 1's decision to add a five-second hold period before the 2026 season starts, despite previous assurances that the starting procedure would remain unchanged. The change addresses turbo lag issues created by the removal of the MGU-H system, which previously eliminated turbine spin-up delays.

Vasseur stated that Ferrari had designed their power unit architecture specifically for the original starting procedure, making strategic compromises to optimize both power output and drivability. The team had already developed a smaller turbocharger to reduce inertia and ensure clean getaways, believing the FIA would maintain the existing protocol. This unexpected rule modification caught teams off guard after months of preparation.

While Vasseur questioned the sudden change, Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu supported the new five-second hold, noting successful practice starts in Bahrain where cars managed clean launches with the blue light sequence. The FIA implemented this safety measure to prevent potential start-line crashes from slow-reacting drivers encountering turbo lag. Vasseur emphasized that teams had known about turbo lag management since the 2026 regulations were first announced, suggesting the safety concerns may have been overstated.