Even if they haven't passed not even 2 years since the technical revolution that has hit F1, we are already thinking about that of 2026. From that year, in fact, theMGU-H it will no longer be part of the increasingly hybrid engines of these cars. Furthermore, theMGU-K will have an increasingly important role central, releasing more horsepower, until reaching an overall thrust of the entire PU of just over 1000 horses.
Max worried: “It looks terrible”
To better prepare, the teams worked to create the simulations where are you looking for recreate the future single-seater. All this thanks to very powerful computers that the stables have. Among the pilots who have tried this concept on the simulator Max Verstappen. The two-time world champion and currently championship leader but it really proved itself disappointed from what he virtually drove. In an interview where he was asked what he thought about the new generation of cars, his answer was incredible: “It seems pretty terrible to me. If you go flat out on the Monza straight, like four or five hundred meters before the end of the straight, you have to downshift because it's the fastest solution. I think this is not the way to go.". The climb the Dutchman talks about, again based on his tests, was used to optimize the battery as best as possible, which would otherwise be too much compromised.
Symonds responds: “All teams have outdated data”
After these statements shock from SuperMax, the response of FIA it was a must. It was he who spoke Pat symonds, technical manager of F1, who explained that the data used by all the teams is obsolete. According to what the British explained, the Federation did big steps forward compared to what the stables own.
“We are months ahead of them”
All this was reported in an interview with Motorsport.com, where he talks about how the same situation had already arisen in 2022: “Teams spend a lot of their budget buying alarm bells. We had exactly the same feeling with the 2022 cars, that it wasn't going to work, and we've been through all this before, so we know what we're doing. In my opinion, the 2026 car is not a bigger change than the 2022. I would say it's actually a little less of a leap on aerodynamics. Yes, there are more active components, but there is nothing magical about active aerodynamics. I'm pretty confident. And speaking of Max driving it on the simulator: he didn't drive the one we have now. I know, because we are obviously months ahead of them".
Despite some doubts, what is filtering at the moment is pure optimism for a revolution that, as we talk about it, could be epochal.
ARTICLE BY FRANCESCO ORLANDO
