Sadly, it’s all true, and we’ve reached this level: System 1 is getting ready for a radical change beginning in 2026, with the introduction of latest rules geared toward enhancing the spectacle on the observe via the implementation of an “override” system. Basically, a BoP. The purpose is to create a efficiency balancing system (Steadiness of Efficiency or BoP) to create a synthetic efficiency hole between the automobiles, thus facilitating overtaking and maintaining competitors alive.
It goes with out saying, nevertheless, that this resolution has already sparked differing opinions amongst business specialists and followers. The goal is to align System 1 with new sustainability and leisure wants, however the worth to pay is clearly a contest distorted in its essence.
The guts of the change can be a single ECU managed by the FIA, which can management the ability and gasoline consumption of each the thermal and electrical engines of every automobile. The ECU will set a most energy restrict: 400 kW for the thermal engine and 350 kW for the electrical one. Via the override command, the system will be capable to quickly cut back the ability of the main car, permitting the chasing driver to keep up excessive energy ranges for prolonged intervals, thus creating velocity variations particularly designed for overtakes.
The adoption of the BoP in System 1, disguised as a device to favor overtakes, represents a historic change, doubtlessly second solely to the entire electrification that additionally threatened to reach within the highest class of world motorsport (and whose threat is just not but solely dominated out). This method, the truth is, establishes an ordinary efficiency restrict, flattening the variations between groups and steering the competitors towards an more and more managed and uniform administration of the automobiles. If you happen to desire, you may simply label it as a real manipulation of technical values.
This maneuver may also cut back engineering creativity and the individuality (already very restricted) of the automobiles, limiting the area for technical innovation in favor of a System 1 pushed by electronics and computing.
Allow us to keep in mind that, as established in earlier months, from 2026, there can be an actual revolution (already decided) concerning the ability items. The brand new rules, additionally specializing in sustainability, will introduce substantial modifications in power administration and gasoline utilization. The electrical engine energy will improve to 350 kW, with a battery regeneration capability rising from 2 to 9 MJ per lap.
On the identical time, the thermal engine will endure an influence discount, dropping from 550 kW to 400 kW, whereas gasoline consumption can be restricted by even stricter rules. Moreover, the turbocharging system can be decreased, with a turbo strain restrict set at 4.8 bar.
The brand new energy items may also need to adapt to energetic aerodynamics (the third main novelty of the 2026 rules), which can permit real-time changes to the automobile’s aerodynamic setup to optimize traction and power effectivity, however this may also be managed via centralized software program that may restrict the design freedom of the groups.
The conclusions and feedback on these choices may appear superfluous. For many who love motorsport, all of that is bordering on miserable. The times when on-track battles have been genuine and the values of the drivers could possibly be matched with the technical designs of the automobiles in a clear and interesting struggle on the observe are nearly extinct. Definitely, all this additionally is available in response to the necessity to cut back environmental affect, an more and more central theme in motorsport. Nonetheless, it’s authentic to ask whether or not manipulating the values on the observe is really vital for the acknowledged sustainability purpose, or whether or not it’s extra of a advertising technique to keep up public curiosity.
System 1 (which now solely carries the identify of the game we keep in mind) is more and more changing into a problem of software program and digital administration. And maybe this step (which comes after the architectural restrictions of engines in 1995, the ban on in-season testing in 2009, the introduction of DRS in 2012, and the appearance of energy items in 2014) marks the definitive farewell to the game we as soon as knew.
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