McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has revealed that Formula 1 teams and the FIA are in talks about potential hardware tweaks to the 2026 power units. These could include larger battery capacity or increased fuel flow to improve driving dynamics. Recent regulation adjustments ahead of the Miami Grand Prix aim to address some issues, but more substantial changes may take time.
Formula 1 has implemented tweaks to the 2026 regulations for the Miami Grand Prix, including reduced energy harvesting and super clipping extended to 350kW. These changes seek to minimize lifting and coasting by cars, as well as reduce speed drop-offs on straights. Data traces indicate more conventional braking zone speeds, though full effects will be assessed after Miami and Montreal, according to simulations reviewed by experts within the sport. McLaren's Andrea Stella noted that while these adjustments promote flat-out driving in qualifying and reduce speed differentials during races, they fall short of a substantial fix. He explained that teams would otherwise optimize power units solely for lap times, neglecting natural driving aspects. Stella highlighted the need for hardware modifications, such as boosting battery capacity or allowing higher fuel flow to the internal combustion engine. These alterations, he said, require more development time than race-to-race changes and could span seasons. Conversations are already underway to enhance hardware for better spectacle and traditional driver control. McLaren technical director Mark Temple acknowledged lingering energy management challenges on certain circuits, likening them to historical fuel-saving strategies. He believes the Miami tweaks eliminate the most counterintuitive behaviors, like inefficient lift-offs, though some review may follow.
