Formulation E star believes the 2026 Formulation 1 vehicles have been designed “extraordinarily badly”, as he questioned the logic behind the brand new laws.
F1 has launched a brand new set of energy models this yr as a part of a wider technical overhaul, with the MGU-Okay system turning into extra highly effective and accounting for almost half of the entire output of the automotive.
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These new guidelines have acquired criticism from some quarters, with four-time champion describing the 2026 vehicles as as a result of elevated reliance on power administration and harvesting.
Di Grassi, who additionally raced on the peak of the World Endurance Championship’s LMP1 period with , reckons that incorporating electrical expertise is itself not the difficulty – however moderately how the principles have been framed.
“The hybrid guidelines of F1 are extraordinarily badly designed,” di Grassi, who drove for Virgin in F1 2010, instructed Motorsport.com. “It isn’t solely the fault of the hybrid system. It is the principles that are determined by the FIA, and a few folks inside the FIA who determined the principles [who are at fault].
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“I do not know the logic behind these guidelines, however there are very bizarre guidelines. And for F1, which makes the automotive very sluggish and generally not very environment friendly or not very raceable, which [is why] the drivers are complaining.”
Lucas Di Grassi, Lola Yamaha ABT Formulation E Crew
Lucas Di Grassi, Lola Yamaha ABT Formulation E Crew
Di Grassi additionally claimed that Formulation E’s technical roadmap may finally permit it to surpass F1 in outright efficiency.
With the all-electric championship set to introduce its 800bhp Gen4 automotive subsequent season, and additional upgrades deliberate for the long run, he believes continued battery growth may see Formulation E turn into the quickest class on the earth.
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“My level is that Formulation E would be the quickest vehicles on the earth in a few years,” mentioned the 2016/17 champion. “It is determined by us to provide you with enchancment for Gen 4.5 and Gen 5. We’ve the potential.
“So what occurs when Formulation E is approach quicker than F1? Will one of the best drivers on the earth drive Formulation E?
“Will folks think about Formulation E drivers at the moment are lastly higher than Formulation 1 drivers as a result of the automotive is quicker? Or Formulation 1 drivers will come right here to drive these vehicles additionally? Possibly they do two programmes. Formulation E turns into a winter sequence. Formulation 1 turns into a summer season sequence, and you are able to do possibly each. I do not know.
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“Naturally, that is how it’ll go. If there shall be a political power bearing this, then I do not know. However naturally, the Formulation E automotive shall be approach quicker than F1.
“I might say at Monaco, possibly not this yr, not the Gen 4, however one or two years after Gen 4 [into the next cycle], possibly [Formula E cars will be] two-three-four-five seconds quicker than F1. 4-by-four, traction management, it’ll be good.”
Requested whether or not he had spoken to any F1 drivers who’ve examined the 2026 package deal, the Brazilian replied: “Yeah, I spoke to a couple. I spoke to some people who find themselves driving on the simulator, and the principles are very bizarre. On some tracks, it creates numerous issues.”
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