Bahrain – The initial optimism surrounding Formula 1’s radical rule changes for the 2026 season is rapidly fading, replaced by a chorus of discontent from some of the sport’s biggest names. Preseason testing has revealed a significant challenge: managing energy demands is overshadowing the pure driving experience, leading to concerns that the new era of F1 feels more akin to Formula E than the pinnacle of motorsport.
Four-time world champion Max Verstappen delivered a particularly scathing assessment, describing the 2026 cars as “anti-racing” and “like Formula E on steroids.” His criticism came on the heels of similar concerns voiced by Lewis Hamilton, who questioned the complexity of the new regulations and suggested the cars felt slower than those in the GP2 series. The core issue appears to be the 50-50 split in power between internal combustion engines and electrical components, forcing drivers to prioritize energy harvesting over outright speed.
“To drive, not a lot of fun to be honest,” Verstappen stated. “I would say the right word is management… As a driver, the feeling is not very F1-like. It feels a bit more like Formula E on steroids.” The need to constantly lift and coast to recharge batteries, a tactic becoming increasingly common as teams unlock performance, is detracting from the thrill of driving at the limit.
The discontent isn’t limited to driver feedback. Aston Martin and Honda are facing a challenging start to the season, hampered by a lack of track time and fundamental issues with the AMR26. Lance Stroll summarized the team’s problems succinctly: “Engine, balance, grip.” While increased running on Thursday with Fernando Alonso yielded 98 laps, it only served to expose the car’s weaknesses – a tendency to lock up under braking, a stiff and awkward handling, and a general lack of grip. The team faces a steep climb to optimize the package, and the extent of the required improvements remains uncertain.
Ferrari, however, appears to be taking a different approach. While still grappling with control issues, the Italian team’s engine is emerging as an outlier. Unlike most competitors who are adopting a technique of frequent downshifts to maximize energy recovery, Ferrari seems to be eschewing this tactic. Their engine and gearbox are designed around a shorter first gear, making the shift from second problematic and potentially hindering dynamic performance. Whether this is a deliberate trade-off for alternative recharging methods remains to be seen.
Audi is pushing the energy recovery strategy to the extreme, with drivers frequently downshifting aggressively. While this approach appears to be yielding results, it comes at a cost – the cars are proving unstable and difficult to control, requiring significant driver input to maintain composure. Gabriel Bortoleto acknowledged the challenges, stating the team is “working a lot to improve that.”
Beyond the performance concerns, the new regulations are also introducing complexities to race starts. The demands of spooling up the turbo, managing battery charge, and balancing revs for a clean getaway are proving significantly more challenging than in previous seasons, raising concerns about potential start-line incidents when the season begins in Melbourne. A previous attempt to simplify the start procedure was reportedly blocked by Ferrari, who feared it would disadvantage teams that had already optimized their engines for the existing system.
Red Bull, despite an impressive start to testing, has encountered its first significant setback. A crash involving Isack Hadjar during the Barcelona test necessitated the shipment of spare parts, and a technical issue on Thursday limited Hadjar to a single installation lap in the morning session. While the team maintains that the disruption hasn’t significantly impacted their overall plan, it represents a reminder that even the frontrunners are facing challenges adapting to the new regulations.
Cadillac, meanwhile, is showing signs of progress. Valtteri Bottas improved significantly on Thursday, closing the gap to the front of the field to 2.5 seconds, a substantial improvement from the four-second deficit experienced on the first day of testing. Sergio Perez also noted positive developments, particularly with the Ferrari engine, emphasizing the team’s focus on consistent pace in this new era of energy management.
The Bahrain test has laid bare the challenges facing Formula 1 in 2026. While the new regulations were intended to usher in a new era of competition and innovation, they have also introduced a level of complexity and energy management that is proving unpopular with drivers and potentially detrimental to the spectacle of racing. As teams prepare for the season opener in Melbourne, the focus will be on finding a balance between performance and efficiency, and addressing the concerns that threaten to overshadow the promise of the new era.
