P1racenews AI automatic summary:
There are plenty of unknowns heading into the 2026 F1 season, one of which being the drivers’ ability to overtake eachother
Discussion surrounding the ability to overtake in the latest F1 cars has intensified, echoing criticisms from the ground effect era.
F1 drivers have expressed concerns about the potential lack of improvement in overtaking capabilities under the new regulations.
The current season brings one of the most significant regulation changes in F1 history, leaving many uncertainties as Melbourne approaches.
Drivers like Lewis Hamilton have been cautiously optimistic about the new overtaking features in the cars but acknowledge that true race conditions will reveal the actual impact.
Some, like Max Verstappen, remain reserved in their expectations, preferring to wait and see the actual results in Melbourne before forming opinions.
Overall, the consensus among drivers seems to be that overtaking may still present challenges in the 2026 season due to the evolving energy management systems and aerodynamic changes.
