The dawn of a new Formula 1 era in , is already facing headwinds, as concerns mount over the potential for reduced overtaking under the sport’s sweeping new regulations. Several drivers, including Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, have voiced skepticism about the effectiveness of the redesigned overtaking system, intended to replace the long-standing Drag Reduction System (DRS).
The 2026 regulations represent a fundamental shift in F1 car design, with a focus on a 50/50 power split between internal combustion engines and electric motors. This change, largely driven by the desire to attract new manufacturers like Audi to the sport, has already drawn criticism. Four-time champion Max Verstappen famously described the new formula as “anti-racing” and likened it to “Formula E on steroids,” highlighting the increased emphasis on energy management during races.
Leclerc’s concerns center on the new “overtake” mode, designed to give chasing cars a temporary electrical boost when within one second of the lead car. While the intention is to facilitate passing under braking, Leclerc believes the system’s reliance on battery power ultimately hinders genuine overtaking maneuvers. “I find it, at the moment, extremely difficult to get any overtakes,” he stated. “It might improve with time in how we manage these kinds of situations, but it always comes with a price whenever you’ve got to overtake and the price is a lot more costly than it was in the past.”
The increased cost Leclerc refers to is the depletion of battery power during the overtaking attempt, leaving the driver vulnerable to being repassed. He notes that, unlike the previous DRS system, gaining an advantage doesn’t necessarily translate into a sustained lead. “That’s why I think it’s very difficult to make an overtake and then pull away, like it was the case last year [with DRS].”
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella echoed Leclerc’s concerns, suggesting that relatively “simple” tweaks to the regulations could improve the system’s effectiveness. Stella proposed reducing the maximum electrical power output from 350kW to 200kW as a potential solution. “Our drivers have been racing with other drivers during these three days of testing in Bahrain and they found it extremely difficult to overtake,” Stella explained. “The fact that you have an additional amount of energy when you follow and you are within one second is difficult to exploit because this extra energy may mean that there is just a little bit more deployment at the end of the straight, if anything.”
The issue isn’t solely about the overtaking system itself. McLaren driver Oscar Piastri pointed out that aerodynamic following is similar to the previous generation of cars, suggesting the problem isn’t necessarily a lack of downforce, but rather the limitations imposed by the new power unit regulations. “Overtaking is certainly going to be different,” Piastri said. “DRS was obviously just a pure advantage you used to gain, whereas now, with the energy boost, you’ve obviously got to harvest that extra energy somehow and then deploy it, which with some of the rules in place is not always that straightforward.”
Mercedes driver George Russell anticipates that the effectiveness of the overtake mode will vary significantly depending on the circuit layout. He believes tracks with multiple straights, such as Saudi Arabia or Silverstone, will present more strategic challenges regarding energy deployment. “Of course, you can make an overtake by pressing a boost button and spending all of your energy, but you know if you use it unwisely you’ll just get re-overtaken again thereafter and you may get overtaken by more cars,” Russell explained. “So you will need to be strategic about it.”
Russell further elaborated on the circuit-specific nuances, noting that tracks with longer straights may not yield as significant a benefit from the electrical boost. “What is also true is every track is going to be different and then how you use your energy is going to be so different. I think circuits like Barcelona, you’ve only got one straight and you’re quite energy-rich there, so all of the teams will be deploying 350kW for quite a long duration down that main straight — when you use your boost there’s not much of a gain.”
The concerns raised by Leclerc, Verstappen, Stella, Piastri and Russell highlight a potential flaw in the new regulations: a focus on technological complexity that may inadvertently detract from the core spectacle of Formula 1 – wheel-to-wheel racing and overtakes. While the intention to attract new manufacturers and promote sustainability is laudable, the early feedback suggests a need for careful evaluation and potential adjustments to ensure the 2026 season delivers the exciting, competitive racing that fans expect.
The preseason testing data, gathered in both Barcelona and Bahrain, has provided teams with initial insights into the challenges posed by the new regulations. The coming races will be crucial in determining whether the concerns voiced by the drivers are justified and whether the FIA will need to intervene to address the potential overtaking crisis. The balance between technological innovation and sporting entertainment hangs in the balance as Formula 1 embarks on this new chapter.
