Ahead of the season opener in Melbourne, Formula 1’s new regulations are already sparking plenty of debate in the paddock. Energy management is often the buzzword. Drivers have to manage the 350 kW of electrical power coming from the MGU-K as effectively as possible, which can lead to some unnatural elements behind the wheel.
George Russell confirmed that downshifting on the straights – a scenario Max Verstappen warned about several years ago – can still happen. However, the Mercedes driver did not feel that it was unnatural and compared it to downshifting in a road car when climbing a hill. In addition, several drivers, including Esteban Ocon, expect lift-and-coast during qualifying runs.
