P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Never mind Max Verstappen’s unflattering comparisons with Formula E. Having now seen the 2026 cars in action, Ben Anderson reckons this is F1 as Frankenstein’s monster
“Bahrain testing in Formula 1 2026 marked the beginning of the new cars being showcased to the world, with many curious about their performance under the TV cameras and Bahrain lights.
Not physically present at the Sakhir track, I relied on the onboard video of Lando Norris’s McLaren for my first close look at F1’s new cars, which left me underwhelmed due to the lack of power evident in the higher-speed corners.
Turns 12 and 13 highlighted this power deficit, with the cars seemingly struggling and sounding broken, a far cry from the challenging nature of the circuit in previous years.
Fernando Alonso’s observation that even the team chef could navigate Turn 12 at the reduced speeds speaks volumes about the current state of F1’s driving challenge.
Kimi Antonelli’s faster lap on the final day did little to alleviate concerns, showcasing a similar lack of power and excessive coasting throughout the lap.
Overall, the energy-starved performance of the cars, sacrificing cornering capabilities for energy harvesting, has not only drawn criticism from drivers like Verstappen but has also raised questions about the essence of Formula 1.”
