Formula 1 is actively searching for solutions to restore the spectacle of qualifying sessions, which have been heavily impacted by the management demands of the new 2026 power units. After the first races of the season, it has become clear that while the new regulations can still deliver entertaining Grands Prix, qualifying has emerged as the most critical area requiring attention.
A crucial challenge for Formula 1
How can Formula 1 fix qualifying? This question has quickly become one of the most debated topics inside the paddock. Early evidence from races like the Chinese Grand Prix has shown that on-track battles, including those between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, can still be exciting even with the new 50-50 split between internal combustion and electric power. However, the same cannot be said for single-lap performance in qualifying.
Charles Leclerc, long regarded as one of the strongest qualifiers on the grid, has unintentionally become a symbol of these new challenges. During qualifying in Shanghai, a potentially competitive lap was compromised when his Ferrari SF-26 experienced a software-related issue triggered by a moment of instability exiting Turn 10.
At that point, as Charles Leclerc briefly lifted off the throttle to regain control of the car while pushing at the limit, the system responsible for managing the car’s electric energy delivery failed to respond correctly. This disrupted the power deployment, leaving the Ferrari driver without sufficient energy on the long back straight.
The consequence was immediate: the SF-26 began to lose power, effectively undoing the performance gains achieved earlier in the lap. After the session, Charles Leclerc acknowledged with frustration that pushing to the absolute limit on a qualifying lap is no longer the most effective approach with these cars. Instead, a smoother and more consistent driving style now appears to yield better results—an outcome that contrasts sharply with the traditional “all-out” qualifying lap that defined Formula 1 for decades.
A complex but achievable solution
According to reports, addressing this issue has become a top priority for Formula 1 stakeholders, including teams, drivers, and governing bodies. The goal is to restore qualifying as a pure performance exercise, where every component of the car is pushed to its maximum potential in pursuit of the fastest lap time.
However, finding a solution is far from straightforward. One of the most discussed ideas involves adjusting the balance of power delivery between the internal combustion engine and the electric system specifically for qualifying sessions. Reducing the maximum battery output from 350 kW to 200 kW would allow energy to be deployed more consistently over a longer portion of the lap, thereby limiting the so-called “superclipping” effect.
While this approach could improve drivability, it would also result in slower lap times overall—something that runs counter to the objective of making qualifying more thrilling and intense for fans.
More fuel to bring back performance
As a result, a complementary solution is being considered. This would involve increasing the contribution of the internal combustion engine to compensate for the reduced electric power, effectively moving slightly back toward the characteristics of previous-generation power units. One option under discussion is to increase the maximum fuel flow allowed during qualifying sessions only, enabling greater performance from the combustion engine.
If this proposal gains widespread support, the aim would be to introduce the changes as early as possible, potentially after the April break and in time for the Miami Grand Prix at the beginning of May.
Such a move could represent a significant shift in how qualifying is approached in the 2026 era, helping to restore the spectacle of drivers pushing to the absolute limit while maintaining the technological direction of modern Formula 1.
The 2026 qualifying format is currently trapped in an “electric cage” where software logic overrides driver bravery. Based on the content of the latest technical proposals, the FIA is realizing that the only way forward might be to look back at the high-fuel-flow glory days.
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