F1 2026: The Oddities Emerging from a Revolution in Engine Design
Formula 1’s 2026 regulations represent a seismic shift in engine technology and early testing has revealed some unexpected consequences. While the goal was to attract new manufacturers and enhance racing, the reality is proving…complex. From “super clipping” to unusual start procedures, the new era is already throwing up quirks that are forcing teams and drivers to rethink their approaches.
Super Clipping: Slowing Down to Speed Up
A new term is rapidly gaining traction in F1 circles: “super clipping.” This refers to a deliberate act of slowing down while maintaining full throttle on long straights. It’s a counterintuitive concept, but crucial to maximizing battery charging under the new regulations.
Previously, “clipping” occurred when the battery was depleted, resulting in a loss of power. Now, the new engines demand a controlled version where the MGU-K is reversed, acting as a generator against the engine. This charges the battery, but at the cost of straight-line speed. The rules cap this reverse MGU-K deployment at 250kW to prevent excessive deceleration.
Interestingly, some teams, like McLaren, are advocating for lifting this cap. They believe more aggressive super clipping could reduce the need for lift-and-coast, creating a more consistent and potentially safer racing environment. The trade-off is a greater reliance on straight-line charging.
“The Chef Can Drive the Car”: Energy Management and Cornering Speed
Fernando Alonso, never one to shy away from a bold statement, recently quipped that even a team chef could manage a lap in the new cars, given the constraints on energy usage. This highlights a significant shift in driving style.
Drivers are now forced to prioritize energy harvesting and conservation, even at the expense of cornering speed. Data from Aston Martin shows Alonso was 34km/h slower through Turn 12 in Bahrain testing compared to the previous year. This isn’t solely due to the new regulations; the 2026 Aston Martin is facing challenges, but it illustrates the point.
As McLaren team principal Andrea Stella notes, drivers must adopt “counterintuitive” techniques to maximize power unit exploitation and lap time. Which means sacrificing speed in certain corners to optimize energy recovery elsewhere on the track.
Unusual and Inconsistent Starts
The removal of the MGU-H has dramatically altered the start procedure. Without electrical assistance to pre-spin the turbo, drivers must now hold high revs for an extended period – anywhere from six to sixteen seconds – to build exhaust energy before launch.
This process is imprecise, and judging the optimal revs is incredibly difficult. Too much or too little, and the launch is compromised. Adding to the complexity, the MGU-K can only be deployed at 50km/h, creating a further challenge in managing torque and avoiding wheelspin.
Some teams have even pushed for changes to the grid procedure to allow more time for pre-spinning the turbo, particularly for cars starting further back.
First Gear: A Resurgence
First gear, once rarely used outside of starts and the Monaco hairpin, is making a comeback. The need for downshifts to optimize energy harvesting and maintain turbo speed means drivers are utilizing it far more frequently.
Max Verstappen, for example, dropped into first gear three times during a test lap in Bahrain, whereas he never did so the previous year. This shift is not without its challenges, with some drivers, like Alex Albon of Williams, reporting “weird things” happening with the car during downshifts.
The impact of this will likely vary between teams, potentially giving an advantage to those with smaller turbos, like Ferrari, which may require less pre-spinning.
Overtaking: A Potential Roadblock
The elimination of the DRS as a dedicated overtaking aid, replaced by active aero, is raising concerns about the difficulty of passing. The natural slipstream is weakened as cars operate in a low-drag state, and the new “overtake” mode, which allows for increased recharging capacity, may not always be viable.
Drivers risk expending too much energy attempting an overtake, only to lose time elsewhere on the track. Isack Hadjar suggested that using the overtake mode could cost “five laps recovering energy.” McLaren is proposing allowing more recharging on the straights to address this issue.
Qualifying Chaos: A New Level of Complexity
Qualifying is already a complex dance of tyre temperature and track position. The 2026 regulations add another layer of difficulty: managing battery state of charge. Drivers must start their qualifying laps with a fully charged battery while simultaneously optimizing harvesting during the lap.
This creates a delicate balance between warming the tyres and conserving energy. The combination of these factors is expected to lead to more queuing, impeding, and unpredictable outcomes. Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur acknowledges that tyre performance remains a crucial factor, potentially overshadowing energy management.
FAQ
Q: What is “super clipping”?
A: It’s a technique where drivers deliberately slow down on straights while maintaining full throttle to charge the battery using the MGU-K in reverse.
Q: Why are corner speeds lower in 2026?
A: Drivers are prioritizing energy harvesting and conservation, even if it means sacrificing speed in certain corners.
Q: What impact does the removal of the MGU-H have on starts?
A: Drivers must now hold high revs for an extended period to build exhaust energy and spin the turbo before launch, making starts more complex and inconsistent.
Q: Will overtaking be more difficult in 2026?
A: We find concerns that the elimination of the DRS and the limitations of the new “overtake” mode could make passing more challenging.
Q: What is the role of first gear in the 2026 regulations?
A: First gear is being used more frequently for downshifts to optimize energy harvesting and maintain turbo speed.
Pro Tip: Keep an eye on battery management during races. Teams that can effectively balance energy deployment and recovery will have a significant advantage.
Did you know? The 2026 regulations aim for a near-50:50 split between internal combustion engine power and electrical energy.
What are your thoughts on the new regulations? Share your predictions for the 2026 season in the comments below!
