How FIA plans to keep 2026 F1 racing exciting despite advanced energy management. FIA technical director Nikolas Tombazis explains how 2026 F1 cars will manage energy.

There is considerable skepticism surrounding the new era of Formula 1 that will begin with the 2026 regulations. The upcoming cars, equipped with a hybrid system three times more powerful than the current one, will require extensive energy management, raising concerns among fans about the potential impact on on-track action. The Italian website FormulaPassion explored the topic with Nikolas Tombazis, FIA single-seater technical director, who outlined the measures being implemented to ensure that races and overtakes remain exciting.

Early reactions
Since the initial release of the 2026 technical regulations, they have undergone continuous evolution, a process Tombazis described as natural. He explained that as teams began working with the new rules, they naturally identified areas needing refinement. During the car design process, it is easier to spot unclear elements or potential issues. The FIA has been actively working on the energy management aspect, since teams now better understand their cars’ performance and detect nuances during simulator testing that may require adjustments.

According to the Greek engineer, early alarmist reactions should not cause concern, as the Federation is making the necessary corrections to the regulations. He noted that many modifications arise from simulator testing, when teams identify suboptimal aspects and relay driver feedback. Tombazis stressed that teams are generally open and communicative, allowing the FIA to address these issues constructively. Consequently, he suggested that initial complaints from drivers unfamiliar with the system might be premature, as the majority of feedback is systematically collected and resolved in collaboration with the teams.

The objectives
A primary concern is that energy management could force drivers to lift off earlier on straights, potentially compromising overtaking and the purity of driving. Tombazis clarified that the FIA has set clear objectives to address this, shared by the teams. The foremost goal is to ensure that a driver’s speed reflects his skill and not a strategic game of energy conservation. Drivers should continue to explore grip limits and braking points, managing car systems without reducing racing to a purely technical exercise. While managing settings has always been part of the sport, the FIA does not intend for it to dominate driving to an extreme extent.

Tombazis pointed to Formula E as an example, where energy management is critical, and races often resemble group tactics similar to cycling, with cars conserving energy and relying on slipstreams. He emphasized that this will not happen in Formula 1. The aim is for overtakes to remain challenging and strategically meaningful, occurring at braking points and requiring skill, rather than relying on simple push-to-pass systems.

The challenge
Once objectives are set, the next step is execution. With the increase in electric power, Tombazis revealed that 2026 cars will exceed 1,000 horsepower at peak output. The challenge, however, will be supplying this powerful hybrid system with a battery of comparable capacity to current units. The cars will generate more electric power, particularly on circuits with long straights, but energy availability remains naturally limited. Unlike Formula E cars, which start races with a full battery, F1 cars will need to complete sustainable laps, recovering energy through braking and the internal combustion engine.

To manage this, the FIA has regulated electric power delivery, modulating output based on speed to distribute energy effectively across a lap. This approach ensures the battery will not deplete early, allowing cars to maintain natural speed and trajectory behaviour. While minor differences from current cars will exist, the system prevents continuous maximum power use on long straights.

Capping record speeds
Gradually reducing electric power at high speed will not compromise straight-line performance. In fact, without moderation, the new cars could reach extreme top speeds due to increased efficiency and active aerodynamics. Tombazis referenced comments from Toto Wolff, who had noted that theoretically, unrestricted cars could approach 400 km/h. Tombazis clarified that while total power – electric plus combustion – will be higher, the regulations are designed to prevent such unsafe extremes. The progressive reduction of electric power at high speeds is also necessary for safety, particularly on street circuits.

At the same time, acceleration potential remains unaffected. Proposals to reduce maximum power on certain tracks were considered but rejected by the teams, though the option remains under discussion. The FIA continues to make adjustments as simulations progress and more data becomes available, ensuring that the 2026 cars meet both performance and safety expectations.

In conclusion, Tombazis reaffirmed that work on the regulations is ongoing and that further refinements will be made as the 2026 season approaches, always with the goal of preserving racing spectacle, overtakes, and the skillful challenge for drivers.