Is Formula 1 About To Get Really Slow?

The truth about the 2026 Formula 1 rule changes!

Formula 1 teams are concerned that the cars are going to be too slow in 2026; this is because an all new ruleset goes into effect which has major changes. The cars will have less combustion power, and more power will come from the electric motor. This shift will create energy challenges, so the cars will have less aerodynamic drag and less downforce - that does save energy, but it also means slower cornering speeds. But, not to fear, the new cars have more horsepower, not less, so they'll definitely be quicker, right? Well, we'll have to do a little math to find out. Enjoy!

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[EngineeringExplained]

A lot of math in this video, that's my bad.

[mm]

Can't wait to come back in 2026 for Jason to reference this video when f1 is 7s slower

[mdflansbury]

Great job Jason. Your closing is perfect "engineers will engineer"

[mpchess]

On aero you don't include less grip from the tyres. 15:48 unintended side effect. Bad rules lead to side effects

[endoftheroad]

Actually, for most circuits on the calendar, most of the harvest energy will come from part load harvesting where the engine is running against the MGUK to charge the energy storage. On tracks like Baku this will mean that none of the energy comes from “lifting” on straights but will come from part load harvesting and braking…

[clarencelim]

That’s not racing. That’s just a game of energy management.

[USUG]

the main point is that F1 is sticking to obsolete technology
that will be more and more irrelevant to where the automotive world is going
The only constrain should be the total amount of energy onboard, and let the best technology win.

[QuasarCatcher]

These 2026 rules are just a Draft for now, teams still need to agree on them.

[Cafe--Racer]

It will slower initially but as always the teams will figure it out just like every other time in the past.

[zhkctwn]

So you will have higher short burst of power out put with significantly less energy so you will have less competitivness so less racing brilliant idea. Might as well watch Indy LIght.

[shakesnbake]

Maths is a wonderful thing 🎶😊 Where would engine manufactuers gain the advantage. Merc seem to be really confident about the 26' PU for example.

[ChuckyLarms]

A short, nimble, NA V10 would be great….

[JJFX-]

Saying hi from 2046 where all the cars are electric and controlled by AI. Every automotive brand is owned by one of three tech companies.

[martinfisker]

Something in me dislikes whenever rules are put down, that limit efficiency... like the aero efficiency limit in LM, removal of MGU-H, and even a cap on recovered energy per lap

[danielchin]

"So let's try to solve it with some Expo markers and a whiteboard."

Yes! That's why I'm here.

[TheOneWhoMightBe]

"So expect Ferrari to absolutely nail the strategy."
Perfection. 👌

[minascholevas]

I don't know how it was in the past with rulemaking but now it is a game of keeping the
big players happy. MGU-K? Higher efficiency but No, to complicated. 4WD? No, Audi will have an advantage due to LMP1. 11th team? No, they will take our market share. You just have to hate politics in sport. So many compromises.

[ethanmcswain]

15:55 this is exactly the problem Verstappen & Horner raised and were told by the FIA they were exaggerating

[DrQuestern]

F1 became a bunch of gimmicks strapped together instead of the ultimate expression of a racecar

[DonLee]

In comparison, the Porsche 919 LMP1h, could recover 8MJ per lap, and had similar ICE and electrical power to the upcoming 2026 cars. Even tho the Porsche had the same "average" energy as the 2MJ recovery and 4MJ cars (those cars were allowed more fuel per lap, given they had less recovered energy), Porsche were able to choose where to deploying it. And mathematically it was much faster to explode all of that energy at the beginning of every straight so that the car would go from 120kph to 260kph in like 3 seconds, and then the car will rely on the ICE only. The electric boost was also handy at creating huge speed differences on the straights depending on deployment to help overtake. However, later, the electric deployment was pulled back a bit to 400hp, and the cars would race more evenly.