Oscar Piastri, Lando Norris, McLaren, Yas Marina, 2025

Formula 1 racing will look very different in 2026 due to the new technical regulations, says McLaren team principal Andrea Stella.

He said fans will have to get used to drivers making seemingly easy passes on rivals who have exhausted their cars’ electrical energy stores.

The new technical regulations for 2026 mean the cars’ electrical energy systems will account for a much larger proportion of the overall power. A driver who is able to hold more of that power in reserve over a lap may be able to use ‘Boost Mode’ to pass a rival who is low on power at places on the track where overtaking moves are not normally seen. Drivers can also deploy more electrical power than they could last year.

“It may look a little weird that one car can overtake so easily another car,” said Stella.

“It’s important the spectators understand why that was so [easy], or even that in one car the battery is now quite full, while the car ahead has the battery quite empty. Therefore, something [new] is coming from a racing point of view.

“The power-unit exploitation as a racing and overtaking variable will be particularly important in being able to communicate effectively to our spectators.”

Changes to F1’s aerodynamic rules will also affect the racing. F1 has dropped the Drag Reduction System but retained adjustable wings, which drivers can now use whenever they choose. Instead drivers will be able to use an ‘Overtake Mode’ enabling them to use even more power when they are close to another car.

The full field is due to run together for the first time in next week’s pre-season test at the Circuit de Catalunya. The test runs over five days and each team may appear on no more than three. McLaren will not run on the first day, Stella confirmed.

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