German veteran, Nico Hulkenberg admits he finds the 2026 regulations "fun" but "frustrating".

His comments come ahead of a vital meeting between the FIA, teams and engine manufacturers, which will either sink or save the season.

The majority of drivers are against the rules, and though they are happy with the new cars it is the 50/50 split between ICE and electric power they are against, and in particular energy management.

A veteran of 252 grands prix, Hulkenberg admits to seeing good and bad in the new regs.

"With the energy stuff, in a way, it's interesting and fun," he says, "but at the same time, it's also weird and frustrating.

"You do the move, but you're just... you really have to pick your fights," he admits, "it's so easy to overspend and get a big de-rate and be a sitting duck.

"Sometimes, the closing speeds are really immense," he adds. "So I don't know. The (Japan) race was probably entertaining on TV, there was probably lots going on, but it's different."

While the likes of Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc refer to F1 2026 as Mario Kart, and Fernando Alonso says that every corner is now simply a charging station, Lando Norris has cited the yo-yoing, as referred to by Hulkenberg, not to mention "accidental" overtaking, which clearly suggests that in such instances the drivers are not in full control of their own cars.

It is unclear what will come out of Thursday's meeting and whether it will be enough, though the seeming obsession with Q3 suggests that team bosses are missing the point.

Social media has been awash with ideas - as ever - with talk of sources who claim a radical overhaul of the engine regulations in the coming years, and we're talking radical enough that current manufacturers would walk away from the sport.

However, ignoring the fact that this is uninformed social media chit-chat, let's not forget that the powers-that-be, much like politicians, will promise the earth with no intention of delivering, simply to remain in control.

Expect Thursday to be a sticking plaster rather than a fix, after all, 'the show' must go on.