P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Alpine "convinced" 2026 F1 chassis rules will negate any potential engine power losses
During the development of the 2026-30 engine specification, Audi and Porsche were considering joining the series, which led to a greater focus on sustainability and road relevance. The result was a power split of 50% between internal combustion engines and electrical output. However, concerns arose when initial simulator data showed that drivers would have to suddenly slow down on straights and downshift gears due to the extreme battery regeneration required, causing the electric power to drop out. The FIA does not plan on changing the power split, as teams are already testing their next-generation engines on dynos. The success of F1’s next rule cycle is believed to depend on the chassis regulations, which are expected to reduce drag and introduce active front and rear wings to improve straight-line performance. The teams, FIA, Formula 1, and power unit manufacturers are all working together to find the right regulations.
