[Saba Sports News] With the 2026 season fully implementing new chassis and power unit regulations, discussions surrounding energy management have quickly intensified. In response, Carlos Sainz has urged the FIA to maintain an open attitude towards the development of each team at the beginning of the season and to make necessary adjustments to the energy management rules based on the characteristics of different tracks. The new generation of power units will have a 50-50 output ratio between electric power and internal combustion engines, requiring drivers to decide during each lap when to recover energy and when to unleash power, while also managing overtaking mode and additional boost functions. Under these new regulations, energy deployment becomes a key variable for success in races. Sainz suggested that on certain tracks with higher power demands, such as Albert Park or Jeddah, the current rules may present additional challenges, and the FIA should appropriately modify them. This is not a denial of the rules themselves but rather an optimization based on data after practical implementation to enhance the quality of racing.
The editor believes that the uncertainty brought about by the new rules in the 2026 season may widen the gap between teams, and understanding and optimizing energy management will become a crucial factor in determining the competitive landscape.