P1racenews AI automatic summary:
McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella has predicted the opening F1 race of 2026 could test drivers’ management skills to the limit.
McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella predicts that the opening Formula 1 race of 2026 could push drivers’ management skills to the limit due to extreme battery and energy deployment management during the pre-season Bahrain test. Drivers are audibly lifting through corners to save battery and downshifting aggressively into formerly third-gear corners. Fernando Alonso and others have expressed dissatisfaction with the new driving style. Stella highlighted the differences in energy management between Barcelona and Bahrain circuits. Stella is concerned about energy management challenges in Australia, where drivers may need to be more engaged in managing power unit efficiency during the race. The McLaren team is continuing to collaborate with HPP to improve engine and power unit control for better race performance.
