P1racenews AI automatic summary:
FIA ‘ban Mercedes and Red Bull F1 qualifying trick’
Two F1 races in a row will be run with the same set of rules at some point this year, but not yet. F1 and the FIA are working on closing loopholes and addressing safety issues arising from the new 2026 regulations. The recent focus has been on a trick used by teams during qualifying to maximize battery energy output. The strategy involved running the battery at full power on flying laps, instead of tapering down the power to avoid sudden drops. Although shutting down the MGU-K is allowed in emergencies, it was also used tactically in qualifying laps, prompting the FIA to step in and enforce stricter regulations. Teams have been instructed not to use this trick anymore, ensuring fair competition and safety on the track.
