{"id":1899651,"date":"2026-04-23T10:23:20","date_gmt":"2026-04-23T07:23:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1899651"},"modified":"2026-04-23T10:23:20","modified_gmt":"2026-04-23T07:23:20","slug":"how-much-slower-will-the-2026-cars-be-under-revised-f1-rules-and-will-overtaking-be-impacted","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1899651","title":{"rendered":"How much slower will the 2026 cars be under revised F1 rules, and will overtaking be impacted?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1403862_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;]<\/p>\n<article>\n<header id=\"lbs-article\" class=\"article header article-header section layout layout--article-header\">\n<div class=\"col headline\">\n<div>\n<h1>How much slower will the 2026 cars be under revised F1 rules, and will overtaking be impacted?<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>One of the biggest questions surrounding the 2026 F1 rule changes has been answered.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"section two-column\">\n<div class=\"col article-info\">\n<div>\n<address> Lewis Larkam <\/address>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><time datetime=\"2026-04-23T11:23:20+01:00\">23 Apr 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col article-actions\">\n<div class=\"block block-better-social-sharing-buttons block-social-sharing-buttons-block\">\n<div class=\"social-sharing-buttons\"><span class=\"ssb-title\"> Share<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div id=\"lbs-content\" class=\"content wide-two-column-sticky section layout layout--wide-two-column-sticky\">\n<div class=\"col first-column\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1403862_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1403862_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1403862_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1403862_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1403862_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1403862_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1403862_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1403862_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1403862_hires.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>F1 has tweaked the 2026 engine rules after criticism<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-preferred-source\">\n<div class=\"preferred-source-cta\">  Add as a preferred source <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>One of the biggest questions raised by Formula 1\u2019s tweaks to the 2026 rules revolves around the knock-on consequences on lap times.<\/p>\n<p>F1 announced a raft of rule changes on Monday in an attempt to improve the much-maligned regulations and ease driver safety concerns.<\/p>\n<p>In a bid to improve the qualifying spectacle, F1\u2019s governing body has reduced the maximum permitted recharge from 8MJ to 7MJ to limit excessive harvesting and encourage more \u201cflat-out\u201d driving.<\/p>\n<p>This was in response to one of the biggest bugbears from drivers who felt that the enjoyment and challenge of qualifying was being taken away by the requirement to top up battery levels.<\/p>\n<p>But the changes come at a cost and qualifying laps will be slower as a result of reducing the amount of power that can be recovered around the lap. The loss will mainly be felt under acceleration onto long straights.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>However, the lap time loss is expected to be \u201crelatively small\u201d and only \u201ca few tenths, if that\u201d, according to McLaren performance technical director Mark Temple.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt&#8217;s a little bit track specific, so in qualifying as we saw in that example, it comes a little bit from loss of some deployment on the straights,\u201d Temple told media including <em>Crash.net<\/em> on Wednesday.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-012cd477ac0c872005fe2abf12378018c475579cbd22d229153acf329cbdaf27\">  Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri react to Max Verstappen F1 quit threat   McLaren takes aim at Mercedes-Alpine links in fresh A\/B team warning <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cIn the race, we&#8217;ve got a reduced level of power in regions of the track that don&#8217;t include a straight mode zone. So we will lose some lap time in those, but then actually also you use a little bit of energy there, and you use that energy elsewhere.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSo two or three tenths, but it is track specific.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Will overtaking be impacted?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1404739_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1404739_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1404739_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1404739_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1404739_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1404739_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1404739_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1404739_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1404739_hires.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Leclerc beat Russell&#8217;s Mercedes to the podium<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-8f14809e2d00612ecfd3d952a2798207d9c6714a72dc3536a069ffe0b96447d4\">  Lambiase to be at McLaren &#8220;for a long time&#8221; as new role explained   The first driver verdict on F1\u2019s attempts to fix 2026 rule problems <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>One concern is that the type of fluid racing seen across the opening three races may be lost as a result of capping the maximal power available through the Boost mode.<\/p>\n<p>Under the tweaked rules, the deployment of electrical energy will be reduced by 100kW in areas of the circuit where overtaking is less likely, such as flat out corners, while maximum 350kW deployment will be kept for areas where overtaking is deemed most likely.<\/p>\n<p>McLaren is confident that overtaking will not be negatively impacted, though more \u201copportunistic\u201d moves may be less common.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn those areas [where deployment is reduced], then it will be harder to overtake. And that&#8217;s really the intent, because the judgement is that if there&#8217;s not a straight mode there, then it&#8217;s a less appropriate place for overtaking,\u201d Temple explained.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe other change is applicable everywhere, which is that now if you do a late boost, so as the power peaks at the start of straight and then starts to ramp down, previously, if you pressed the boost button, you would get the full 350 kilowatts. Whereas now that&#8217;s reduced so that you either maintain the power level that you have dropped to, or if you&#8217;re below 150 kilowatts, it will come back up to 150 kilowatts.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cYou still get a speed increase, but it&#8217;s less rapid. So you can&#8217;t build as much of a speed advantage. You still build a good overtaking opportunity, but it&#8217;s built more progressively because you have less power.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSo I think we will see less chance of maybe opportunistic overtakes in some of the more unusual places. But I think that&#8217;s the right compromise for safety. But I think on the main straight, it will be largely unaffected.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou could still have a car that is essentially doing a bad job of overtaking and using too much energy and then being re-passed on the next straight, which personally I actually think is quite a good thing, because it forces a little bit more of a strategic element to overtaking.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe driver has to think more and it will reward the drivers who are thinking about and learning from and optimising what they&#8217;re doing.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info--2\">\n<p>Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<h2>In this article<\/h2>\n<div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">F1<\/div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">McLaren<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-next-prev\">\n<div class=\"next-prev-pager contextual-region\">\n<div class=\"items\">\n<div class=\"item prev\">\n<h3>  Previous<\/h3>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\"> FIA explains \u2018evolution not revolution\u2019 F1 2026 rule tweaks<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404393_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404393_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404393_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404393_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404393_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404393_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404393_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404393_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404393_hires.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-author-block block block-configurable-views-block\">\n<div class=\"author-view grid-view js-view-dom-id-aa831f4750df5e9e4338b7f0a03f36fb95b31d3e091b1920c79427b8bb9c3c7e\">\n<div class=\"card user default\">\n<div class=\"image\"> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/1bc46a82-ac76-40ea-9cf5-d309b802b0ef_1.jpeg?height=270&amp;format=webp 270w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/1bc46a82-ac76-40ea-9cf5-d309b802b0ef_1.jpeg?height=180&amp;format=webp 180w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/1bc46a82-ac76-40ea-9cf5-d309b802b0ef_1.jpeg?height=90&amp;format=webp 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div class=\"header\">\n<div class=\"text\">\n<div class=\"name\">Lewis Larkam<\/div>\n<div class=\"role\">F1 Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"desc\">\n<p>Lewis regularly attends Grands Prix for Crash.net around the world. Often reporting on the action from the ground, Lewis tells the stories of the people who matter in the sport.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"views-element-container block block-views-blockrelated-content-related-content-block\">\n<h3>More News<\/h3>\n<div class=\"grid-view grid-2 js-view-dom-id-c68e6eaeaf680d5006471fa2a35921ef1b56835569896c35e8d1354f19d4833c\">\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>McLaren tease \u201centirely new MCL40\u201d car for North American F1 races<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1776879320\"> 16h ago<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/2268730713.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"McLaren will bring a substantial upgrade package to Miami and Montreal\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Norris reveals what would &#8216;mean more than winning an F1 championship&#8217;<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1776856757\"> 23h ago<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1403798_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Lando Norris, McLaren Racing, 2026 Japanese GP\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Norris reveals chats with golf superstar helped him conquer F1 demons<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1776767366\"> 21\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/2268732121.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Norris triumphed to win his maiden world title last year\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Norris honoured with prestigious sports award on star-studded night<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1776761805\"> 21\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1402816_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Norris won his maiden F1 world title in 2025\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Bullish Lando Norris outlines McLaren\u2019s F1 2026 title recovery plan<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1776585600\"> 19\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/2268880692.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Norris is on the back foot as he looks to defend his F1 world title\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Lando Norris named on TIME 100 list alongside Donald Trump and Pope<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1776351578\"> 16\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1402826_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Norris has been named on the prestigious TIME list \" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col second-column\">\n<div class=\"sticky\">\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info\">\n<p>Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>One of the biggest questions surrounding the 2026 F1 rule changes has been answered.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>One of the biggest questions raised by Formula 1\u2019s tweaks to the 2026 rules revolves around the knock-on consequences on lap times.<\/p>\n<p>F1 announced a raft of rule changes on Monday in an attempt to improve the much-maligned regulations and ease driver safety concerns.<\/p>\n<p>In a bid to improve the qualifying spectacle, F1\u2019s governing body has reduced the maximum permitted recharge from 8MJ to 7MJ to limit excessive harvesting and encourage more \u201cflat-out\u201d driving.<\/p>\n<p>This was in response to one of the biggest bugbears from drivers who felt that the enjoyment and challenge of qualifying was being taken away by the requirement to top up battery levels.<\/p>\n<p>But the changes come at a cost and qualifying laps will be slower as a result of reducing the amount of power that can be recovered around the lap. The loss will mainly be felt under acceleration onto long straights.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>However, the lap time loss is expected to be \u201crelatively small\u201d and only \u201ca few tenths, if that\u201d, according to McLaren performance technical director Mark Temple.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt&#8217;s a little bit track specific, so in qualifying as we saw in that example, it comes a little bit from loss of some deployment on the straights,\u201d Temple told media including <em>Crash.net<\/em> on Wednesday.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-012cd477ac0c872005fe2abf12378018c475579cbd22d229153acf329cbdaf27\">  Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri react to Max Verstappen F1 quit threat   McLaren takes aim at Mercedes-Alpine links in fresh A\/B team warning <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cIn the race, we&#8217;ve got a reduced level of power in regions of the track that don&#8217;t include a straight mode zone. So we will lose some lap time in those, but then actually also you use a little bit of energy there, and you use that energy elsewhere.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSo two or three tenths, but it is track specific.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Will overtaking be impacted?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1404739_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1404739_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1404739_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1404739_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1404739_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1404739_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1404739_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1404739_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1404739_hires.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Leclerc beat Russell&#8217;s Mercedes to the podium<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-8f14809e2d00612ecfd3d952a2798207d9c6714a72dc3536a069ffe0b96447d4\">  Lambiase to be at McLaren &#8220;for a long time&#8221; as new role explained   The first driver verdict on F1\u2019s attempts to fix 2026 rule problems <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>One concern is that the type of fluid racing seen across the opening three races may be lost as a result of capping the maximal power available through the Boost mode.<\/p>\n<p>Under the tweaked rules, the deployment of electrical energy will be reduced by 100kW in areas of the circuit where overtaking is less likely, such as flat out corners, while maximum 350kW deployment will be kept for areas where overtaking is deemed most likely.<\/p>\n<p>McLaren is confident that overtaking will not be negatively impacted, though more \u201copportunistic\u201d moves may be less common.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn those areas [where deployment is reduced], then it will be harder to overtake. And that&#8217;s really the intent, because the judgement is that if there&#8217;s not a straight mode there, then it&#8217;s a less appropriate place for overtaking,\u201d Temple explained.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe other change is applicable everywhere, which is that now if you do a late boost, so as the power peaks at the start of straight and then starts to ramp down, previously, if you pressed the boost button, you would get the full 350 kilowatts. Whereas now that&#8217;s reduced so that you either maintain the power level that you have dropped to, or if you&#8217;re below 150 kilowatts, it will come back up to 150 kilowatts.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cYou still get a speed increase, but it&#8217;s less rapid. So you can&#8217;t build as much of a speed advantage. You still build a good overtaking opportunity, but it&#8217;s built more progressively because you have less power.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSo I think we will see less chance of maybe opportunistic overtakes in some of the more unusual places. But I think that&#8217;s the right compromise for safety. But I think on the main straight, it will be largely unaffected.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou could still have a car that is essentially doing a bad job of overtaking and using too much energy and then being re-passed on the next straight, which personally I actually think is quite a good thing, because it forces a little bit more of a strategic element to overtaking.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe driver has to think more and it will reward the drivers who are thinking about and learning from and optimising what they&#8217;re doing.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info--2\">\n<p>Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>One of the biggest questions raised by Formula 1\u2019s tweaks to the 2026 rules revolves around the knock-on consequences on lap times.<\/p>\n<p>F1 announced a raft of rule changes on Monday in an attempt to improve the much-maligned regulations and ease driver safety concerns.<\/p>\n<p>In a bid to improve the qualifying spectacle, F1\u2019s governing body has reduced the maximum permitted recharge from 8MJ to 7MJ to limit excessive harvesting and encourage more \u201cflat-out\u201d driving.<\/p>\n<p>This was in response to one of the biggest bugbears from drivers who felt that the enjoyment and challenge of qualifying was being taken away by the requirement to top up battery levels.<\/p>\n<p>But the changes come at a cost and qualifying laps will be slower as a result of reducing the amount of power that can be recovered around the lap. The loss will mainly be felt under acceleration onto long straights.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>However, the lap time loss is expected to be \u201crelatively small\u201d and only \u201ca few tenths, if that\u201d, according to McLaren performance technical director Mark Temple.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt&#8217;s a little bit track specific, so in qualifying as we saw in that example, it comes a little bit from loss of some deployment on the straights,\u201d Temple told media including <em>Crash.net<\/em> on Wednesday.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-012cd477ac0c872005fe2abf12378018c475579cbd22d229153acf329cbdaf27\">  Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri react to Max Verstappen F1 quit threat   McLaren takes aim at Mercedes-Alpine links in fresh A\/B team warning <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cIn the race, we&#8217;ve got a reduced level of power in regions of the track that don&#8217;t include a straight mode zone. So we will lose some lap time in those, but then actually also you use a little bit of energy there, and you use that energy elsewhere.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSo two or three tenths, but it is track specific.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Will overtaking be impacted?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1404739_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1404739_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1404739_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1404739_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1404739_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1404739_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1404739_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1404739_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1404739_hires.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Leclerc beat Russell&#8217;s Mercedes to the podium<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-8f14809e2d00612ecfd3d952a2798207d9c6714a72dc3536a069ffe0b96447d4\">  Lambiase to be at McLaren &#8220;for a long time&#8221; as new role explained   The first driver verdict on F1\u2019s attempts to fix 2026 rule problems <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>One concern is that the type of fluid racing seen across the opening three races may be lost as a result of capping the maximal power available through the Boost mode.<\/p>\n<p>Under the tweaked rules, the deployment of electrical energy will be reduced by 100kW in areas of the circuit where overtaking is less likely, such as flat out corners, while maximum 350kW deployment will be kept for areas where overtaking is deemed most likely.<\/p>\n<p>McLaren is confident that overtaking will not be negatively impacted, though more \u201copportunistic\u201d moves may be less common.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn those areas [where deployment is reduced], then it will be harder to overtake. And that&#8217;s really the intent, because the judgement is that if there&#8217;s not a straight mode there, then it&#8217;s a less appropriate place for overtaking,\u201d Temple explained.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe other change is applicable everywhere, which is that now if you do a late boost, so as the power peaks at the start of straight and then starts to ramp down, previously, if you pressed the boost button, you would get the full 350 kilowatts. Whereas now that&#8217;s reduced so that you either maintain the power level that you have dropped to, or if you&#8217;re below 150 kilowatts, it will come back up to 150 kilowatts.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cYou still get a speed increase, but it&#8217;s less rapid. So you can&#8217;t build as much of a speed advantage. You still build a good overtaking opportunity, but it&#8217;s built more progressively because you have less power.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSo I think we will see less chance of maybe opportunistic overtakes in some of the more unusual places. But I think that&#8217;s the right compromise for safety. But I think on the main straight, it will be largely unaffected.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou could still have a car that is essentially doing a bad job of overtaking and using too much energy and then being re-passed on the next straight, which personally I actually think is quite a good thing, because it forces a little bit more of a strategic element to overtaking.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe driver has to think more and it will reward the drivers who are thinking about and learning from and optimising what they&#8217;re doing.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info--2\">\n<p>Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;http:\/\/crash.net\/f1\/news\/1093308\/1\/how-much-slower-will-2026-cars-be-under-revised-f1-rules-and-will-overtaking-be&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1403862_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;] How much slower will the 2026 cars be under revised F1 rules, and will overtaking be impacted? One of the biggest questions surrounding the 2026 F1 rule changes has been answered. Lewis Larkam 23 Apr 2026 Share F1 has tweaked the 2026 engine rules after criticism Add as a preferred source One [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[47,226],"class_list":["post-1899651","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crash-net","tag-crawlmanager"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1899651","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1899651"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1899651\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1899651"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1899651"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1899651"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}