System E star Lucas di Grassi believes the 2026 System 1 automobiles have been designed “extraordinarily badly”, as he questioned the logic behind the brand new rules.
F1 has launched a brand new set of energy models this yr as a part of a wider technical overhaul, with the MGU-Ok system changing into extra highly effective and accounting for practically half of the entire output of the automotive.
These new guidelines have acquired criticism from some quarters, with four-time champion Max Verstappen describing the 2026 automobiles as “System E on steroids” because of the elevated reliance on vitality administration and harvesting.
Di Grassi, who additionally raced on the peak of the World Endurance Championship’s LMP1 period with Audi, reckons that incorporating electrical expertise is itself not the difficulty – however relatively how the principles have been framed.
“The hybrid guidelines of F1 are extraordinarily badly designed,” di Grassi, who drove for Virgin in F1 2010, advised Motorsport.com. “It is not solely the fault of the hybrid system. It is the principles that are determined by the FIA, and a few folks throughout the FIA who determined the principles [who are at fault].
“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 System E Crew
Photograph by: Simon Galloway / LAT Photographs through Getty Photographs
Di Grassi additionally claimed that System E’s technical roadmap might in the end 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 improvement might see System E change into the quickest class on the planet.
“My level is that System E would be the quickest automobiles on the planet in a few years,” mentioned the 2016/17 champion. “It relies on us to give you a superb enchancment for Gen 4.5 and Gen 5. Now we have the potential.
“So what occurs when System E is approach sooner than F1? Will the most effective drivers on the planet drive System E?
“Will folks contemplate System E drivers at the moment are lastly higher than System 1 drivers as a result of the automotive is quicker? Or System 1 drivers will come right here to drive these automobiles additionally? Possibly they do two programmes. System E turns into a winter collection. System 1 turns into a summer season collection, and you are able to do perhaps each. I do not know.
“Naturally, that is how it may go. If there can be a political drive bearing this, then I do not know. However naturally, the System E automotive can be approach sooner than F1.
“I might say at Monaco, perhaps not this yr, not the Gen 4, however one or two years after Gen 4 [into the next cycle], perhaps [Formula E cars will be] two-three-four-five seconds sooner than F1. 4-by-four, traction management, it may 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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