With the arrival of the 2026 technical regulations, one complex issue is being discussed more and more frequently: electric energy regeneration. From this year onwards, the electric part of the Power Unit must provide around 50 per cent of the total power, roughly 500 horsepower (350 kW in FIA terms), compared to the 120 kW allowed under the previous regulations. (1 kW is equivalent to 1.36 horsepower.)
From 2025 to 2026, the available kilowatts – and therefore the overall power – have effectively tripled. The usable energy has increased from 4 MJ to 9 MJ. A power output of 350 kW corresponds to around 476 horsepower. If it were possible to deploy the full 9 MJ at a constant rate of 350 kW, the battery would be fully discharged in just 25 seconds. That would leave the remaining 65 seconds of a lap (assuming an average lap time of around 1 minute and 30 seconds) to be completed using only the internal combustion engine, which is itself less powerful than in 2025. Under the 2025 regulations, with 4 MJ and a limit of 120 kW, the energy deployment lasted around 33 seconds.
With the removal of the MGU-H, electrical energy generation now takes place mainly under braking and lift-off phases, using control mappings that not all teams have fully optimised yet. This is one of the reasons behind the Barcelona tests currently taking place. To explain the situation in a simple and accessible way, without diving too deeply into technical details, let’s start from a familiar example.
Anyone who has driven an electric or hybrid road car will understand the concept. When regenerative mode is engaged (often indicated by the letter “B” on automatic gearboxes), lifting off the accelerator creates a sensation similar to braking. The same happens in hybrid cars, while in full electric vehicles this effect can be even more noticeable through systems such as the e-Pedal used by some manufacturers. In simple terms, when you lift off the throttle, regenerative charging kicks in and the car slows down as if you were braking, rather than coasting normally. In everyday road cars, this sensation occurs with relatively limited power levels.
What happens in Formula 1 is very different. In 2025, aerodynamic load alone allowed decelerations of around 1.5 G as soon as the driver lifted off the throttle. This braking effect was generated by the wings and the floor, which contributed significantly to slowing the car. In 2026, overall aerodynamic downforce will be lower, meaning that when the driver lifts off, deceleration is no longer 1.5 G but slightly less. However, electric energy regeneration now intervenes much more aggressively.
As a result, in order to recharge the battery to 100 per cent – or as close as possible – to exploit maximum power, deceleration becomes extremely sharp. Simulator data has shown decelerations of up to 3.5 G and speed reductions of 80 to 100 km/h at the moment regeneration occurs.
To avoid this dangerous situation – imagine a driver following closely with low-downforce wings, while the car ahead suddenly slows dramatically due to regeneration – the control mappings are being tuned to deliver more progressive deceleration and energy recovery. The aim is to avoid sudden braking effects. However, this is where the real problem lies: making regeneration more progressive reduces the amount of energy recovered, meaning the battery cannot be charged sufficiently to deliver the required power.
This is the major dilemma facing engine manufacturers as they develop and refine their systems throughout the season: how to slow the car gradually, avoid sudden deceleration, yet still guarantee maximum energy regeneration and therefore maximum available power. This challenge is even more critical given that the electric component provides an immediate boost on corner exit and during acceleration, but is depleted very quickly.
A revolution that raises doubts
This is, in simplified terms, the main issue facing the 2026 Formula 1 cars and the difficulties drivers will have to deal with. They will be required to drive in a completely different way compared to anything they have experienced before, from karting all the way to Formula 1.
Was it worth it? Honestly, and from a personal point of view, we believe the answer is no. It feels contradictory. However, technological progress is often built on contradictions, and perhaps in the future we will all be here praising this technical revolution.
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