Charles Leclerc has voiced fears over Formula 1's new-for-2026 cars being "less enjoyable" to drive, and while senior team figures have played down his concerns, question marks remains over the new regulations.
The new machinery will have less downforce and more drag, making cars slower through the corners, but extra hybrid power from a near 50/50 split between internal combustion engine and electric energy will give the cars a vastly different power profile. Managing energy deployment from circuit to circuit will likely be a more significant factor, and opinions are divided over whether or not that 50/50 split needs to be watered down to avoid cars running out of energy too early on the straights. Active aerodynamics are being introduced to help mitigate any unwanted side-effects from the new power units.
