In an exclusive interview on the YouTube channel of newsf1.it, engineer Luigi Mazzola provided a detailed analysis of energy management in Formula 1. From braking recharge to strategies during duels, the 2026 F1 season is becoming increasingly technical and strategic.
Electric recharge strategies in Formula 1
What is SOC and why it’s fundamental
Modern Formula 1 is a complex system that combines internal combustion engines with electric energy, reaching around 1000 total horsepower. However, this power is not always available.
During the interview, Luigi Mazzola explained that everything revolves around the SOC (State of Charge) of the battery. Without available electric energy, the power unit loses a critical part of its performance, making the car less effective, especially in key moments of a lap.
Where to use electric power on track
Acceleration and corner exit: the decisive points
The main goal for drivers and teams is to maximize electric energy at the most important points of the circuit. This happens mainly during acceleration, particularly on corner exits where grip allows the car to transfer all available power to the track. This is where the full 1000 horsepower is needed to achieve the best lap times.
Energy management throughout the lap
Electric power cannot be used continuously. The amount available is limited and must be managed precisely, deploying it at the most effective sections of the circuit.
Where to recharge the battery: key strategies
Braking recharge: the most effective method
The main moment to recover energy is during braking. At this stage, the hybrid system converts kinetic energy into electricity, allowing a very intense recharge of the battery.
End of the straight: balancing power and recharge
Another strategy involves the end of straights. After using all available energy (deployment), teams can sacrifice part of the power to recharge the battery. This results in an immediate loss of performance, compensated by an advantage in the following sections of the track.
Corner recharge: an advanced solution
Under certain conditions, energy can also be recovered through corners. By limiting the torque applied, the system can divert part of the energy to recharge, optimizing overall lap management.
The new role of the driver in modern Formula 1
Energy management more important than pure driving
The complexity of energy management has fundamentally changed the driver’s role. It is no longer enough to push to the limit in braking or through corners; correctly managing energy is crucial. A mistake in SOC management can compromise an entire straight and a potential overtaking opportunity.
During duels on track, the difference often comes down to the amount of energy available. A driver with more charge can attack more effectively, making overtaking a strategic consequence rather than a purely technical maneuver.
“Artificial” overtakes and regulatory limits
The role of 4 megajoules per lap
The regulations impose strict limits on the electric energy that can be used per lap, making management even more complex. These restrictions force teams and drivers to adopt increasingly sophisticated strategies to maximize overall performance.
Spectacle vs strategy
According to Mazzola, many modern overtakes result more from energy management than pure driving skill. This can reduce the spectacle, making some maneuvers appear “constructed” rather than spontaneous.
Final analysis
Engineer Luigi Mazzola’s analysis highlights how Formula 1 has become an increasingly engineering-driven sport, where energy management is as central as outright speed. The future of the category will depend on the ability to balance technical innovation with on-track action, ensuring that strategy does not completely overshadow the spectacle.
The transition to the 2026 regulations has therefore turned the cockpit into a high-speed laboratory. For a driver to be successful today, they must be part-pilot and part-systems engineer, mastering the delicate balance of the State of Charge. Based on the content of Luigi Mazzola’s insights, the winner of the next Grand Prix may not be the fastest driver, but the one who best manages their 4 megajoules of deployment.
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