Technology and entertainment, two worlds that Formula 1 tries to reconcile but often struggle to find a balance between. This trend has strengthened in recent years, particularly since Liberty Media took the reins of the sport. The show has become the driving force, influencing regulatory decisions in sports, technology, and management.
To cater to entertainment and profit generation, Formula 1 is gradually shifting its focus toward the Middle East and the United States, vast user bases that can afford to spend substantial sums to host the racing circus on tracks that promptly meet the desires of American ownership.
This stands in contrast to Europe, where many promoters operate based on a solid spending review that limits their maneuvering room. As a result, slowly but inexorably, the Old Continent is becoming less and less the home of the series.
The Unstoppable Transformation of F1
Formula One is rapidly changing to support its core needs, entertainment. Deep reforms have been implemented to achieve this, from the introduction of the sprint race to the application of a spending cap, along with a technical revolution that introduced wing cars. But the process does not stop here, as we are on the brink of another wave of innovations expected in 2026 that will affect both the technical and motor aspects.
In this specific context, it is worth noting that power units will undergo a conceptual simplification, with the MGU-K being the only electric motor generator due to the ban on the MGU-H. The electric component will triple in power, increasing from 120 kW to 350 kW. All energy recovery will rely on the MGU-K. The Internal Combustion Engine will have to adapt to these changes and will be powered by a 100% sustainable blend. This is a brief overview of what is to come.
F1 has placed weight reduction at the top of its priorities because it aims to offer more enjoyable cars to drive and, consequently, more spectacular duels. The cars will need to be simpler and more compact. In this regard, the transmission is expected to have only six gears, which means fewer gears and reduced bulk. The width of the single-seaters will decrease from 200 to 190 centimeters, the wheelbase from 360 to 340 cm or even 330 cm.
Reducing mass leads to smaller wing surfaces, with an estimated 40% decrease in downforce. However, it is necessary to proceed cautiously since engineers are known for finding load points to compensate for legislative limitations in a relatively short time. In any case, the goal is to further reduce drag, aided by active aerodynamics.
This solution will allow for higher top speeds, leading to greater gaps during braking since the cars will navigate corners at slower speeds. This is all in favor of overtaking, which may no longer rely on the DRS as it does today.
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F1: Drivers as Pawns in a Bigger Game
What do the drivers think of all this? As is often the case, they are not involved in the decision-making process and must endure choices rather than contribute to their definition. Max Verstappen, whose opinion should carry some weight, has openly criticized the new power units: “If you go flat out on Monza’s straight, you have to shift gears because that way, you can go faster. It seems like we’re heading for another engine formula: whoever has the best power unit will have a significant advantage, and this will lead to escalating costs in the search for a few more horsepower.”
Max, along with his colleagues, was not enthusiastic about the changes made to the race format either. His criticisms of the Sprint Race have often been fierce: “Every time I race, the goal is always not to suffer damage and ensure staying in the top three. The only exciting aspect is having an extra start. But, in the end, only those who are behind can climb up because, using a single set of tires that lasts an entire stint, not much happens.”
Regarding tires, the three-time champion didn’t exactly rejoice when the FIA imposed more stops in Qatar for safety reasons. Some see this as a future standard: “Three mandatory pit stops? I would like to push as much as possible, but without having to make so many pit stops. We design cars to go fast, to be efficient on tires. We couldn’t use this, even though it’s our strength, because the number of stops was imposed on us. But we’ll see what can be improved for the future….”
Max did not endorse the “management formula,” hoping for a return to a more pure and less managerial Formula One. This is the hope of all parties involved, but it doesn’t align with Liberty Media’s strategic vision, which places increasing revenue at the top of its internal interests to further stabilize a business that has been on a constant growth trajectory since the pandemic crisis.
In this broader context, the introduction of the Las Vegas Grand Prix fits as a manifesto of Liberty Media. On November 16, the sport will be in the midst of the casinos. The feeling, which has received more than one confirmation, is that everything will be discussed in the lead-up except technical issues. Why? Because there is little to comment on in that regard. The track is a beautiful container with very little inside.
“I think we’re racing there more for the show than the race itself, considering the layout,” thundered Max Verstappen after his dominant performance during the triple header. “I’m not very interested, to be honest. I think there’s a difference between this event and the Monaco Grand Prix because Monaco is a unique place with a great history. In addition, all drivers dream of racing in the Principality at least once, so no comparisons can be made.”
This opinion is also shared by other colleagues who have pointed out that the track in Nevada is relatively simple in design, offering no significant challenges and is easy to grasp. Perhaps the only challenging aspect is the need for a solid front end combined with the roughness of the asphalt, which also features irregularities that have claimed some illustrious victims in Austin and Brazil.
The track is expected to offer many overtaking opportunities, thanks to its long straights and the fact that it is easy to stay close through the final corner, leading to a very long straight. This layout summarizes Liberty Media’s global philosophy: modest technology for spectacular returns. This appeals to a portion of the audience, but it certainly doesn’t sit well with the drivers, just like many other recent developments in F1…
Source: Diego Catalano for FUnoanalisitecnica
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