Is Formula 1 About To Get Really Slow?

The truth about the 2026 Formula 1 rule changes!
Why 2026 F1 Engines Make Less Power - • Why Are 2026 Formula 1...
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Formula 1 teams are concerned that the cars are going to be too slow in 2026; this is because an all new ruleset goes into effect which has major changes. The cars will have less combustion power, and more power will come from the electric motor. This shift will create energy challenges, so the cars will have less aerodynamic drag and less downforce - that does save energy, but it also means slower cornering speeds. But, not to fear, the new cars have more horsepower, not less, so they'll definitely be quicker, right? Well, we'll have to do a little math to find out. Enjoy!
References:
2026 FIA Regulations - www.fia.com/regulation/catego...
70kg Fuel Target - www.formula1.com/en/latest/ar...
F1 Downforce Numbers - • McLaren Substitute Tea...
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[@EngineeringExplained]

A lot of math in this video, that's my bad.

[@mm8436]

Can't wait to come back in 2026 for Jason to reference this video when f1 is 7s slower

[@SpencerioQ]

Beyond safety requirements, fuel tank size, and other obvious basics, F1 should really be a free for all as far as engineering goes.

[@DrQuestern]

F1 became a bunch of gimmicks strapped together instead of the ultimate expression of a racecar

[@AndyFromBeaverton]

I don't care about slow, I care about the cars being driven at their limit 100% of the time and having real battles for positions without relying on gimmickry.

[@Sitania]

They need to make the cars smaller. Every major regulation change has made them bigger, and has made overtaking harder

[@martinfisker7438]

Something in me dislikes whenever rules are put down, that limit efficiency... like the aero efficiency limit in LM, removal of MGU-H, and even a cap on recovered energy per lap

[@xfire301]

I’m even more pessimistic. He hasn’t included a critical issue. With 30% less downforce, corner exit speed will be a lot slower, making his straitaway analysis overly optimistic.

[@patrickrkruger]

Keep the smaller size and active aero. Drop the hybrid system and go to V10s.

[@01221984]

They are killing F1 slowly

[@danielchin8073]

"So let's try to solve it with some Expo markers and a whiteboard."

[@ethanmcswain2700]

15:55

[@minascholevas]

I don't know how it was in the past with rulemaking but now it is a game of keeping the

[@BHRxRACER]

One thing I noticed is that whenever they talk about speed they mean in qualifying trim. I always thought that the total time over race distance (305km) or fastest lap of the race is a better indicator of an F1 car's "speed". That's why the 2004 cars held records for so long and still do. That's without DRS or slick tyres.

[@waynec3563]

A couple of thoughts on this Jason.

[@DonLee1980]

In comparison, the Porsche 919 LMP1h, could recover 8MJ per lap, and had similar ICE and electrical power to the upcoming 2026 cars. Even tho the Porsche had the same "average" energy as the 2MJ recovery and 4MJ cars (those cars were allowed more fuel per lap, given they had less recovered energy), Porsche were able to choose where to deploying it. And mathematically it was much faster to explode all of that energy at the beginning of every straight so that the car would go from 120kph to 260kph in like 3 seconds, and then the car will rely on the ICE only. The electric boost was also handy at creating huge speed differences on the straights depending on deployment to help overtake. However, later, the electric deployment was pulled back a bit to 400hp, and the cars would race more evenly.

[@phaa84]

In the end, Christian H...y was not wrong saying that the drivers would lift off in the end of the straight lines to recover energy.

[@tbonetrav18]

They are also going to have narrower tires in the new regs, which is where some of the reduced drag comes from, but it will also make corner’s slower due to loss in mechanical grip

[@SE3552]

What you describe in the last part is what everyone is concerned. They are going to lift early to regen, lap times are going to be slower.

[@bodanerius]

The most exciting eras of F1, CanAm, Group B etc has been when teams have found new innovations or loop holes in the rule book. The sport is inching further and further away from that and for teams to have an ability to create unique and innovative cars.