Ferrari have proven extremely competitive in race starts, but discussions are already underway with the FIA regarding a potential reduction in electric power. The Italian website F1inGenerale has discussed the situation with Matteo Bobbi, who provided insight into the ongoing debate ahead of the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.
Race starts have quickly become one of the hottest topics at the beginning of this 2026 Formula 1 season. Following complaints from several quarters and some chaotic start simulations during pre-season testing, F1inGenerale asked Matteo Bobbi whether the situation was simply pre-race mind games — possibly linked to the strong efficiency shown by the Ferrari power unit — or whether there was a concrete and structured dialogue taking place with the FIA. His answer made it clear that the issue is far from settled.
“There is an ongoing discussion. The Federation has already implemented changes with the lights to try to help in this sense. In any case, the discussion with the FIA is still completely open.”
Matteo Bobbi explained that this is not merely about isolated criticism or paddock speculation. On the technical table of the FIA there are concrete proposals, supported in a fairly unanimous way by the teams. The matter is being addressed at regulatory level, with the aim of refining certain aspects of the new power unit balance introduced for 2026.
Cars could be detuned in Melbourne: FIA opens door to possible change
One of the central points of the debate concerns the management of electric power. “On the table there is also the issue of a possible reduction in electric power. As of today it is set at 350 kW in usage. It is possible that in Melbourne, however, they will race at 300 kW.”
The objective of such a change would be twofold. On one hand, it would aim to limit the excessive focus drivers currently place on energy recovery phases. On the other, it could improve the quality and effectiveness of overtaking, which under the current configuration has not always been straightforward.
“They want to avoid drivers doing a lot of coasting and being too focused on energy recovery. By doing so, they would also fix the issue that, at the moment, overtaking is not very easy.”
According to Matteo Bobbi, a revised system where 300 kW is used under standard race conditions and 350 kW is available only in overtaking mode could enhance on-track action and make battles more dynamic. “Using 300 kW in stable conditions and 350 when you activate overtake mode could also help overtaking.”
This potential adjustment would not represent a minor tweak, but rather a targeted regulatory refinement aimed at improving the show while preserving competitive fairness. Ferrari’s strong launches have highlighted how crucial the electric component of the power unit has become in the opening phase of races, especially under the new 2026 regulations.
However, the key factor remains dialogue between the governing body and the teams. “As of today there are still many discussions on the Federation’s table in an open manner, because it is the teams who have put forward the proposals in a fairly unanimous way. They are trying to find the best solution together — teams and Federation.”
The start-phase debate is therefore not just a technical or media-driven storyline. It is a regulatory matter still evolving, one that could already lead to concrete changes ahead of the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne. The upcoming decisions will clarify whether these adjustments will be limited fine-tuning measures or signal a broader shift in philosophy regarding energy management during races.
With Ferrari demonstrating impressive performance off the line and the FIA evaluating possible modifications to electric power deployment, the balance between sporting spectacle and technical innovation once again sits at the heart of Formula 1’s ongoing evolution.
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