P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Very different cars for 2026 mean very different circumstances for F1 teams and drivers to deal with as they prepare for the fastest point of a weekend
Formula 1 is entering the 2026 season with energy management becoming crucial for lap times, impacting both races and qualifying sessions.
Drivers and teams have noted the new cars’ limited energy storage during pre-season testing, leading to strategic considerations for energy harvesting and usage affecting traffic and tire management.
Qualifying strategies are shifting, requiring drivers to balance energy deployment for maximum speed without draining the battery early on, impacting the approach to starting a fast lap.
The necessity to conserve energy may prompt unfamiliar driving tactics such as “super clipping” or lift-and-coast techniques at specific corners to optimize overall lap performance.
Challenges may vary at different circuits, with shorter tracks like Melbourne requiring less throttle caution post-final corner compared to longer straight circuits like Monza or Baku.
