Source:REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed
[Saba Sports News] As the first official preseason test for the 2026 season begins in Bahrain, the new generation of rules is making its comprehensive debut. The new chassis and power unit specifications are expected to reshape the competitive landscape, with the most significant change being that the hybrid system will account for 50% of the total output. This means that the cars will require higher intensity energy recovery during races, as well as more refined energy management.
Seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton expressed his concerns about this. He stated that the current rule system is so complicated that ordinary fans may find it difficult to understand how it works. He mentioned that even while sitting in a meeting room listening to explanations, he felt it took a long time to fully grasp the concepts, worrying that overly complex technical structures might create a distance between the event and the audience.
According to the new regulations, drivers not only need to engage in offensive and defensive battles on the track but also need to precisely control energy release and recovery in every lap. The system learns and adjusts based on driving style, meaning that even a single lock-up or going off track can affect the algorithm calculations and energy distribution. Hamilton revealed that he is still in the exploratory phase, and that the real challenges may only become apparent in actual competition. However, he emphasized that from an operational standpoint, the basic management logic is not insurmountable; the key lies in stability and continuous optimization.