Formula 1 cars will handle Silverstone differently this weekend due to 2026 power unit regulations. Drivers will compromise on several high-speed corners to manage energy for long straights.
The iconic Northamptonshire circuit presents the biggest test yet for the current ruleset. Sergio Perez called it the biggest test, while Max Verstappen laughed during simulator runs with the 2026 cars.
Cars must use corners like Maggotts and Becketts as charging stations for the Hangar Straight. Fernando Alonso described high-speed corners as charging stations for the straights that follow. Sources indicate Copse corner will remain largely flat-out in qualifying.
The FIA set energy deployment limits at 8MJ for the race and 6.5MJ for qualifying. This is 0.5MJ lower than at Barcelona. Corner speeds through Stowe will also drop due to lower downforce levels.
Teams expect yo-yo racing as drivers deploy energy on one straight only to be passed on the next. Tyre management will be less critical than at the Austrian Grand Prix.
