Sadly, it’s all true, and we’ve reached this level: Method 1 is getting ready for a radical change beginning in 2026, with the introduction of latest laws geared toward enhancing the spectacle on the observe by means of the implementation of an “override” system. Basically, a BoP. The purpose is to create a efficiency balancing system (Stability of Efficiency or BoP) to create a synthetic efficiency hole between the vehicles, thus facilitating overtaking and conserving competitors alive.
It goes with out saying, nevertheless, that this choice has already sparked differing opinions amongst trade specialists and followers. The purpose is to align Method 1 with new sustainability and leisure wants, however the value to pay is clearly a contest distorted in its essence.
The guts of the change will probably be a single ECU managed by the FIA, which is able to management the ability and gasoline consumption of each the thermal and electrical engines of every automobile. The ECU will set a most energy restrict: 400 kW for the thermal engine and 350 kW for the electrical one. By means of the override command, the system will be capable to briefly cut back the ability of the main car, permitting the chasing driver to take care of excessive energy ranges for prolonged intervals, thus creating pace variations particularly designed for overtakes.
The adoption of the BoP in Method 1, disguised as a instrument to favor overtakes, represents a historic change, probably second solely to the entire electrification that additionally threatened to reach within the highest class of world motorsport (and whose danger shouldn’t be but completely dominated out). This method, in truth, establishes a typical efficiency restrict, flattening the variations between groups and steering the competitors towards an more and more managed and uniform administration of the vehicles. In the event you favor, you may simply label it as a real manipulation of technical values.
This maneuver may also cut back engineering creativity and the distinctiveness (already very restricted) of the vehicles, limiting the house for technical innovation in favor of a Method 1 pushed by electronics and computing.
Allow us to keep in mind that, as established in earlier months, from 2026, there will probably be an actual revolution (already decided) concerning the ability models. The brand new laws, additionally specializing in sustainability, will introduce substantial adjustments in vitality administration and gasoline utilization. The electrical engine energy will improve to 350 kW, with a battery regeneration capability rising from 2 to 9 MJ per lap.
On the similar time, the thermal engine will bear an influence discount, dropping from 550 kW to 400 kW, whereas gasoline consumption will probably be restricted by even stricter laws. Moreover, the turbocharging system will probably be diminished, with a turbo strain restrict set at 4.8 bar.
The brand new energy models may also need to adapt to lively aerodynamics (the third main novelty of the 2026 laws), which is able to enable real-time changes to the automobile’s aerodynamic setup to optimize traction and vitality effectivity, however this may also be managed by means of centralized software program that may restrict the design freedom of the groups.
The conclusions and feedback on these selections may appear superfluous. For individuals who love motorsport, all of that is bordering on miserable. The times when on-track battles have been genuine and the values of the drivers might be matched with the technical designs of the vehicles in a clear and interesting struggle on the observe are nearly extinct. Definitely, all this additionally is available in response to the necessity to cut back environmental affect, an more and more central theme in motorsport. Nonetheless, it’s reliable to ask whether or not manipulating the values on the observe is actually vital for the acknowledged sustainability purpose, or whether or not it’s extra of a advertising technique to take care of public curiosity.
Method 1 (which now solely carries the identify of the game we bear in mind) is more and more changing into a problem of software program and digital administration. And maybe this step (which comes after the architectural restrictions of engines in 1995, the ban on in-season testing in 2009, the introduction of DRS in 2012, and the arrival of energy models in 2014) marks the definitive farewell to the game we as soon as knew.
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