On the finish of this month, the primary collective take a look at with 2026 equipment will happen in Barcelona. Logically, a lot of the 2026 rulebook has been finalised, however the FIA has intentionally left a number of facets considerably open. In line with Nikolas Tombazis, these are the “levers” that the governing physique can play with if the on-track image is unsatisfactory in any method.
One of many components which are nonetheless a piece in progress considerations overtaking. DRS has disappeared as a result of each driver will be capable to use lively aerodynamics on each straight, each on the entrance and the rear of the automotive. It has led to the introduction of overtake mode, which bears some resemblance to a push-to-pass system.
How is overtake mode alleged to work in F1?
In observe, its operation is twofold, FIA’s single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis explains to pick media – together with Autosport.
“It’s one thing that can allow the automobiles inside one second of the automotive forward to a) get better extra power across the lap, about half a megajoule extra power, and b) deploy extra of that power, as there is a curve that defines the power that’s accessible to the automobiles. That’s the facility that’s accessible as a operate of pace, they usually’re getting larger energy than the automotive in entrance. So that they have a) extra power and b) extra energy when they’re one second behind, so the equal of DRS.”
Within the technical laws, the ERS deployment is certainly linked to a curve, the so-called rampdown price. With out overtake mode, that curve regularly slopes down till the deployment reaches zero at a pace of 345kph. In overtake mode, the curve stays flat for longer (with extra ERS deployment), earlier than dropping steeply to zero at a pace of 355kph. It implies that the chasing automotive is allowed to make use of extra electrical energy – and at larger speeds – than the automotive forward.
So as to take action with out operating into issues with the quantity of power, the permitted harvesting per lap is barely larger as effectively. That is laid out in Article C5.2.10 iii of the technical laws: “As much as 0.5MJ extra power could also be harvested in every lap topic to the circumstances laid out in Article B7.2,” which pertains to overtake mode.
Nonetheless, different facets haven’t but been finalised, similar to the precise size of the activation zones. That is nonetheless a piece in progress, because the FIA needs to search out the correct stability: overtaking shouldn’t be too troublesome, but it surely ought to nonetheless stay a problem.
Nikolas Tombazis, FIA Single Seater Director
Picture by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Photos
“We’re nonetheless fine-tuning that, that means that as we’re getting an increasing number of remaining simulations, now we have levers that we will modify from a regulatory standpoint. We’ve got levers to make it a bit simpler, or if we discover it too straightforward, now we have levers to make it a bit tougher. We do not need overtaking to be in a slender window.
“We do not need guys simply driving previous one another and never having a battle. We at all times need to have this battle. However we additionally don’t need it to be inconceivable, in order that after lap 1 you understand how [they’ll] get to the end. We’ve got methods to go in each instructions. After we get all of the preliminary operating and the ultimate simulations and so forth, we might must do some small changes.”
It implies that the FIA will look carefully in any respect knowledge from winter testing in Barcelona, permitting the governing physique to check on-track numbers with earlier simulations.
Greater pace variations on account of power administration?
Along with overtake mode, there’s one other key issue. Power administration by the motive force will turn into rather more essential than earlier than, that means that variations between automobiles can come up at sure factors of the observe. If one driver is deploying extra power whereas one other is harvesting, it may theoretically result in bigger pace variations.
It’s precisely why some group principals have predicted overtaking at ‘uncommon locations’, though it stays to be seen whether or not that truly occurs. It’s extra possible that every one groups will converge on kind of the identical technique for a given observe, as Tombazis predicts.
“Variations in power [management] can create a scenario the place one automotive is possibly not capable of defend the place as effectively. However we imagine that because the groups and drivers get used to working in a sure method, they are going to ensure that they aren’t utterly susceptible to a specific scenario.
“If we out of the blue took these 22 automobiles and threw them on the grid now to start out racing as we speak, I am certain we might discover conditions the place what you are saying is going on, as a result of persons are not absolutely optimised but. However I believe as soon as individuals know learn how to use them, they are going to be capable to ensure that they are not a sitting duck on the straight.”
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari leads initially
Picture by: Mark Thompson / Getty Photos
Is there a threat of political video games in F1?
Lastly, even after winter testing the FIA can modify sure figures on a circuit-by-circuit foundation to make sure that automobiles don’t run out {of electrical} energy too early.
“There will likely be some circuit particular parameters that we will modify, for instance, the utmost energy or the utmost power that may be recovered,” Tombazis added. “As a result of now we have been striving to ensure that the speed profile of the automobiles is what we think about to be pure. We do not need the automobiles to start out lifting off in the midst of the straight and so forth.”
As soon as once more, the primary week of winter testing will likely be an essential benchmark for the FIA.
“There is a diploma of eager to see in winter testing how the automobiles behave, to see whether or not we push some extra parameters and make one other step, each easier and fewer depending on power administration. We’ve got sure situations in our pocket, however we have got to a superb place with the PU producers. We imagine it is in all probability okay, however as soon as we see the place we’re within the winter testing and if we have to have some additional discussions, now we have concepts within the pocket.”
It does result in the query whether or not adjusting sure numbers may cause political discussions, given all the pieces in F1 is political. In spite of everything, these with a robust energy unit could also be much less inclined to modifications than those that are behind. Tombazis acknowledges this threat, however emphasises that the FIA’s position is exactly to behave in one of the best pursuits of the sequence.
“You imply the assorted PU producers is probably not on the identical web page? Sure, in fact, that could be a problem – as a result of, as I’ve stated varied instances, we because the FIA care concerning the well being of the game,” he stated. “Additionally they care concerning the well being of the game but additionally whether or not they win races or not, and that complicates issues a bit.
“And whenever you go to the engineering stage, they care concerning the well being of the game, whether or not they win races and as well as whether or not they have an fascinating job. In order that makes it much more difficult as a result of they might not at all times help the answer that’s finest for the well being of the game. In order that makes the choice making a bit extra difficult however that is a part of our job.”
Watch: 2026 Formulation 1 Technical Laws Defined
We need to hear from you!
Tell us what you wish to see from us sooner or later.
– The Autosport.com Group
