Australian Grand Prix delivers spectacle as overtakes triple in Melbourne but concerns emerge. The 2026 Australian Grand Prix delivered spectacular racing.

The Australian Grand Prix delivered plenty of spectacle with a very high number of overtakes, but now Formula 1 and the FIA must evaluate several important factors

The Formula 1 championship had promised that the introduction of the new technical regulations would dramatically increase the number of overtakes, and that is exactly what happened during the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne. Even from the very first moments of the race it looked like the event would produce plenty of action on track and a high number of passing moves, and that expectation remained consistent throughout the entire Grand Prix.

With these new-generation Formula 1 cars, overtaking appears to have become significantly easier than in previous seasons. The comparison with the 2025 Australian Grand Prix is particularly striking: the number of overtakes has effectively tripled. Last year, despite a chaotic race heavily influenced by rain and constantly changing conditions, there were 45 overtakes recorded throughout the event. In this year’s race, however, the total climbed to an impressive 120 overtakes, a clear sign that the promise made by Formula 1 and the FIA regarding closer racing has, at least in part, been fulfilled. However, not everything is as positive as it may initially appear.

The major problems that emerged in Australia

Despite the increased number of overtakes, the race also revealed a significant underlying issue. Because the battery charge does not last for a full lap, drivers were frequently seen performing overtakes and immediate counter-overtakes that often appeared somewhat artificial. Compared to the past, when the DRS system already provided a boost for overtaking, these moves seemed much easier to execute and were often completed well before the traditional heavy braking zones.

Another key factor is that drivers often had to use almost the entire battery charge either to attack or defend their position. As a result, they frequently found themselves without sufficient electrical power on the following straight, creating a very large speed difference between cars. This dynamic led to situations where a driver could easily regain the position that had just been lost, creating sequences of repeated passing maneuvers that felt somewhat unnatural compared to the traditional rhythm of Formula 1 racing.

The other major issue that emerged during the Australian weekend became evident during Saturday’s qualifying session. For the first time, drivers were seen performing a very aggressive Lift & Coast even during their fastest qualifying laps — something that has traditionally been the ultimate expression of pushing the car to the absolute limit.

A particularly striking example occurred in the section between Turn 8 and Turn 9. In that stretch of track, all drivers experienced a noticeable drop in speed along the straight, generating what has been described as the phenomenon of “super clipping.” In fact, some drivers did not even need to brake when approaching Turn 10, a corner that, with previous generations of Formula 1 cars, used to represent a genuine challenge for drivers.

In addition to these issues, the software controlling the power delivery also created several difficulties. Sudden power surges, accidents and noticeable system weaknesses became part of the story of the Australian Grand Prix weekend. What happened during the incidents involving Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen represents a clear example of the problem: software systems that struggle to cope with even small variations and can suddenly release power, causing drivers to lose control of their cars. Situations like these can quickly become dangerous on a Formula 1 circuit.

Many drivers openly complained about these issues, with Max Verstappen among the most vocal critics. Several drivers explained that with these new cars it is no longer possible to push consistently at the limit, mainly because the electrical energy depletes too quickly and now influences around 50 percent of the overall engine performance.

If the two scheduled Middle Eastern rounds were to be cancelled, Formula 1 and the FIA could have up to a month available to analyze the situation more carefully. That period would allow the governing body to potentially address some regulatory gaps and work toward delivering a different kind of racing spectacle for Formula 1 fans around the world.

The 2026 Australian Grand Prix therefore serves as a fascinating case study in the “quantity vs. quality” debate, where a tripling of overtakes has been offset by concerns over artificial racing and software unpredictability. While the new aerodynamic rules allow cars to follow more closely, the 50/50 power split is currently dictating the race result more than driver skill, leaving the FIA with a critical month to refine the energy deployment maps before the championship resumes.