On the finish of this month, the primary collective take a look at with 2026 equipment will happen in Barcelona. Logically, a lot of the 2026 rulebook has been finalised, however the FIA has intentionally left a number of points considerably open. In line with the FIA’s single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis, these are the “levers” that the governing physique can play with if the on-track image is unsatisfactory in any manner.
One of many components which might be nonetheless a piece in progress considerations overtaking. DRS has disappeared as a result of each driver will be capable of use lively aerodynamics on each straight, each on the entrance and the rear of the automotive. It has led to the introduction of overtake mode, which bears some resemblance to a push-to-pass system.
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How is overtake mode purported to work in F1?
In observe, its operation is twofold, Tombazis explains to pick media – together with Motorsport.com.
“It’s one thing that may allow the automobiles inside one second of the automotive forward to a) recuperate extra power across the lap, about half a megajoule extra power, and b) deploy extra of that power, as there is a curve that defines the power that’s accessible to the automobiles. That’s the ability that’s accessible as a perform of pace, and so they’re getting increased energy than the automotive in entrance. So that they have a) extra power and b) extra energy when they’re one second behind, so the equal of DRS.”
Within the technical laws, the ERS deployment is certainly linked to a curve, the so-called rampdown fee. With out overtake mode, that curve steadily slopes down till the deployment reaches zero at a pace of 345km/h. In overtake mode, the curve stays flat for longer (with extra ERS deployment), earlier than dropping steeply to zero at a pace of 355km/h. It implies that the chasing automotive is allowed to make use of extra electrical energy – and at increased speeds – than the automotive forward.
So as to take action with out operating into issues with the quantity of power, the permitted harvesting per lap is barely increased as nicely. That is laid out in Article C5.2.10 iii of the technical laws: “As much as 0.5MJ further power could also be harvested in every lap topic to the situations laid out in Article B7.2,” which pertains to overtake mode.
Nonetheless, different points haven’t but been finalised, comparable to the precise size of the activation zones. That is nonetheless a piece in progress, because the FIA desires to search out the appropriate steadiness: overtaking shouldn’t be too tough, however it ought to nonetheless stay a problem.
Nikolas Tombazis, FIA Single Seater Director
Picture by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Photographs
“We’re nonetheless fine-tuning that, that means that as we’re getting an increasing number of remaining simulations, we’ve got levers that we are able to regulate from a regulatory standpoint. We have now levers to make it a bit simpler, or if we discover it too straightforward, we’ve got levers to make it a bit tougher. We do not need overtaking to be in a slender window.
“We do not need guys simply driving previous one another and never having a battle. We at all times need to have this battle. However we additionally don’t desire it to be not possible, in order that after lap 1 you understand how [they’ll] get to the end. We have now methods to go in each instructions. After we get all of the preliminary operating and the ultimate simulations and so forth, we could must do some small changes.”
It implies that the FIA will look carefully in any respect information from winter testing in Barcelona, permitting the governing physique to check on-track numbers with earlier simulations.
Larger pace variations resulting from power administration?
Along with overtake mode, there’s one other key issue. Power administration by the driving force will change into rather more essential than earlier than, that means that variations between automobiles can come up at sure factors of the observe. If one driver is deploying extra power whereas one other is harvesting, it may theoretically result in bigger pace variations.
It’s precisely why some crew principals have predicted overtaking at ‘uncommon locations’, though it stays to be seen whether or not that really occurs. It’s extra doubtless that every one groups will converge on kind of the identical technique for a given observe, as Tombazis predicts.
“Variations in power [management] can create a scenario the place one automotive is perhaps not capable of defend the place as nicely. However we consider that because the groups and drivers get used to working in a sure manner, they may make it possible for they don’t seem to be fully weak to a selected scenario.
“If we abruptly took these 22 automobiles and threw them on the grid now to begin racing at this time, I am positive we might discover conditions the place what you are saying is going on, as a result of individuals are not absolutely optimised but. However I feel as soon as folks know how you can use them, they may be capable of make sure that they are not a sitting duck on the straight.”
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari leads in the beginning
Picture by: Mark Thompson / Getty Photographs
Is there a threat of political video games in F1?
Lastly, even after winter testing the FIA can regulate sure figures on a circuit-by-circuit foundation to make sure that automobiles don’t run out {of electrical} energy too early.
“There might be some circuit particular parameters that we are able to regulate, for instance, the utmost energy or the utmost power that may be recovered,” Tombazis added. “As a result of we’ve got been striving to make it possible for the rate profile of the automobiles is what we contemplate to be pure. We do not need the automobiles to begin lifting off in the course of the straight and so forth.”
As soon as once more, the primary week of winter testing might be an essential benchmark for the FIA.
“There is a diploma of eager to see in winter testing how the automobiles behave, to see whether or not we push some further parameters and make one other step, each less complicated and fewer depending on power administration. We have now sure eventualities in our pocket, however we have to an excellent place with the PU producers. We consider it is most likely okay, however as soon as we see the place we’re within the winter testing and if we have to have some additional discussions, we’ve got concepts within the pocket.”
It does result in the query whether or not adjusting sure numbers could cause political discussions, given every little thing in F1 is political. In any case, these with a robust energy unit could also be much less inclined to modifications than those that are behind. Tombazis acknowledges this threat, however emphasises that the FIA’s position is exactly to behave in the most effective pursuits of the sequence.
“You imply the assorted PU producers is probably not on the identical web page? Sure, in fact, that may be a problem – as a result of, as I’ve stated varied occasions, we because the FIA care concerning the well being of the game,” he stated. “Additionally they care concerning the well being of the game but in addition whether or not they win races or not, and that complicates issues a bit.
“And whenever you go to the engineering degree, they care concerning the well being of the game, whether or not they win races and as well as whether or not they have an attention-grabbing job. In order that makes it much more sophisticated as a result of they could not at all times help the answer that’s greatest for the well being of the game. In order that makes the choice making a bit extra sophisticated however that is a part of our job.”
Watch: 2026 Formulation 1 Technical Laws Defined
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