P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen has adopted an unusual energy management technique. RacingNews365 technical analyst Paolo Filisetti explains why it may not be sustainable.
During the first day of F1 pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit, Max Verstappen was notably using unique downshift sequences to charge the battery for more energy on straights, a tactic not adopted by Mercedes or Ferrari. Despite its effectiveness, the technique may lead to increased gearbox wear and higher tyre degradation over the race distance. The impact of Verstappen’s strategy is expected to vary from track to track throughout the season, with a likely emergence of multiple battery recharge techniques. The balance between costs and benefits of each method will determine the prevailing approach across teams. Energy management is currently a key focus, outweighing aerodynamics in terms of performance impact early in the season. The potential for improvement in electrical energy management is seen as greater than in aerodynamics due to the latter being a more established field.
