The new era of Formula 1 has drawn criticism from several drivers, with Max Verstappen among the most outspoken voices. Concerns focus on qualifying, now perceived as less representative of pure driving talent, and on overtaking dynamics. Energy management plays an increasingly dominant role, creating a sense of artificiality in on-track battles. Charles Leclerc was among the first to describe modern Grands Prix as resembling “Mario Kart races.”
To address this issue, the FIA may need to limit the freedom teams currently have in deploying electric power. However, whether such measures align with Formula 1’s broader commercial and sporting interests remains an open question.
The DRS precedent
Formula 1 has effectively swung from one extreme to another. The sport moved from races with very few overtakes—where even strategy was often neutralized—to Grands Prix featuring constant position changes. However, rather than genuine battles, these are often simple exchanges of position.
Charles Leclerc compared them to the famous Mario Kart video game, while British media have labeled them “yo-yo overtakes.” When the attacking driver deploys full battery power on the straight, overtaking becomes relatively easy before reaching the braking zone, resembling a highway-style pass. However, this leaves the attacker with depleted energy, making them vulnerable to an immediate counterattack from the defending driver, who can retake the position just as easily.
Energy management has become a true strategic element, and if properly calibrated, it could even enhance the show. Single-seater racing, particularly Formula 1, has long struggled with the issue of aerodynamic disturbance. When a driver follows closely behind another car, they encounter a sort of invisible wall, often leading to prolonged stalemates.
To counter this, the sport introduced a tool to help the attacking driver: the now-famous DRS. Yet even DRS battles sometimes appeared artificial. As Juan Pablo Montoya recently pointed out, the system could be so effective that overtakes were completed halfway down the straight, creating dynamics similar to what we see today.
Over time, the FIA adjusted the system, modifying activation zones to enable overtakes without making them too easy. This same approach could be applied to the current energy management scenario.
Lessons from China
With the removal of DRS, the freedom to deploy electric power has become the primary tool for overcoming the aerodynamic “dirty air” barrier. The challenge lies in preventing overtakes from being completed too early on the straight, instead encouraging drivers to arrive side by side at the braking zone and fight for position in the corners.
In China, there were some positive examples, though not consistently. Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton frequently exchanged positions on the straights, but at times they also fought wheel-to-wheel into the opening sequence of corners, providing a more engaging spectacle and even some enjoyment for Leclerc himself.
Meanwhile, George Russell had to wait 29 laps before definitively reclaiming second position, complaining over team radio that the Ferrari drivers were fast in the right places. His remarks highlight an important point: the more similar the energy management strategies between drivers, the more difficult overtaking becomes.
In this respect, the Shanghai circuit helped standardize energy usage strategies, whereas Suzuka is expected to present a greater challenge for battery management, potentially leading to more varied approaches—and more “Mario Kart-style” duels.
The primary objective
Over time, development will likely lead teams to converge in terms of software and energy deployment strategies, making overtaking less predictable. However, if the goal is truly to encourage genuine wheel-to-wheel racing, the FIA may need to intervene by placing limits on energy management strategies.
Just as DRS once required careful calibration of activation zones, the focus now should shift to limiting the maximum power differential between the attacking and defending drivers. The objective would be to have both cars arrive side by side at the braking point—neither too early nor too late.
Any intervention will depend on what Formula 1 considers its primary objective. Preserving traditional racing dynamics may be a priority for many drivers and long-time fans, but the sport increasingly values global audience engagement. If data shows that fans prefer these Mario Kart-style races, it is unlikely that the current product will be significantly altered.
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