The 2026 regulations are set to radically transform Formula 1. While the cars will move away from the current ground-effect philosophy toward active aerodynamics, the most significant change will take place inside the power unit, where the electrical component will become more central than ever. The new cars will not resemble Formula E’s Gen3 EVO machines, but engineers will be faced with a vast amount of new data, scenarios, and strategic variables to analyze.
Formula E has been mentioned not only because the all-electric championship is racing this weekend in Mexico City, but also because several Formula 1 engineers have reportedly reached out to their counterparts in electric racing to better understand how to approach this new technical challenge.
Phil Charles, now a key figure in the DS Penske Formula E project and a well-known name from his previous Formula 1 career, revealed that he has received multiple calls from within the F1 paddock in recent months asking for advice. The former Toro Rosso technical director and ex-Renault race engineer openly acknowledged the growing interest.
“I would be lying if I said they haven’t called me,” Charles explained. “When it comes to energy optimization, Formula 1 already has a hybrid system. It’s not something completely new for them, but the direction of the new regulations makes energy usage absolutely fundamental. There are many parallels with Formula E in the way you manage energy. And yes, I would be lying if I said that none of my friends in Formula 1 have called me to say that what we do here is extremely relevant for them.”
As already highlighted, the two categories are not moving toward identical technical specifications. Formula 1 and Formula E will remain clearly separated, each with its own identity and technical philosophy. However, from 2026 onwards, the electrical side of the new Formula 1 power units will play a decisive role during Grands Prix.
In Formula E, energy management is all about controlling consumption to avoid running out of power before the finish line. In Formula 1, that specific scenario will not exist in the same way, thanks to the hybrid system. Charles himself clarified this key distinction while underlining how critical energy management will still become.
“The Formula 1 hybrid system will prevent scenarios like that,” Charles said, “but energy management will be far more critical. And that will make the racing more interesting. There are several valid approaches. The systems are different, because in Formula 1 you combine electric power and combustion in a unique way. But the approach to energy management becomes central. And that’s where the similarities will be visible.”
With the 2026 reset approaching, Formula 1 engineers are clearly being pushed out of their comfort zone. While the sport will not turn fully electric, lessons learned from Formula E could prove invaluable as teams search for the most efficient and competitive way to exploit the new hybrid era.
As the 50/50 split between internal combustion and electrical power becomes reality in 2026, the ability to harvest and deploy energy efficiently will likely define the new pecking order. With experienced figures like Phil Charles bridging the gap between the two worlds, the “Formula E style” of strategic lifting and tactical deployment is set to become the next great frontier in F1 engineering.
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