P1racenews AI automatic summary:
F1 Car Battery: How does it work and why is it so important in 2026?
The new regulations for the 2026 F1 season place a significant emphasis on the importance of the battery within the car, with drivers now needing to manage their battery throughout races and qualifying laps.
Max Verstappen described the new cars as being like ‘Formula E on steroids’, highlighting the crucial role of the batteries and the all-electric racing series.
F1 cars use lithium ion batteries, which offer extreme power density for quick bursts of power, differing from the high-capacity batteries used in road cars.
In 2026, the emphasis on electrical energy has tripled, with the battery and engine splitting the workload almost equally, requiring drivers to recharge their batteries quickly for optimal usage.
The advanced battery technology and energy recovery systems in F1 2026 power units play a key role in boosting performance through features such as the boost button and overtake mode during races.
