Toto Wolff mentions 2026: "We will have to compensate for the lack of electrical energy at each lap."

What will the F1 Starting next January? While it still seems difficult to precisely define how the Grands Prix will unfold, one thing remains certain. From both a technical and visual standpoint, the differences are likely to be numerous, judging by the feedback provided by the teams and the drivers themselves.

"I think it's really, really difficult to predict how it's going to be," commented Lewis Hamilton before the end of the 2025 financial year. I don't want to say too many negative things. It looks so different, and I'm not sure you'll like it. But maybe I'll be surprised, and maybe it'll be amazing. Maybe dubbing will be amazing. Maybe it'll be easier to dub. I don't know.

Faced with these doubts, somewhat shared by pilots like Charles Leclerc ou Alexander albon Having already spoken on the subject, several pieces of information are missing. On a technical level, Toto wolff In this instance, he ventured a somewhat elaborate explanation regarding the advantage that certain drivers on the grid might gain.

Will the simulator become increasingly important in F1 from 2026 onwards?

Interviewed as part of the podcast Beyond the Grid As for the specifics of this new regulation that is coming to Formula 1, Toto Wolff has provided an explanation that outlines contours that are already expected, although not very reassuring in some respects. “We will have 50% electricity and 50% combustion. We will have to compensate for the lack of electrical energy on each lap, especially on circuits with long straights,” he detailedI think what we're seeing now, the strategies, it's almost like a small game of chess.

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In this context, another legitimate question arises concerning driving skills. To what extent will drivers be able to showcase their driving abilities, rather than simply relying on their capacity to optimize their cars' energy consumption? "Where will the pilot focus their energy? Who is best prepared? I think the generation of SIM pilots will have an advantage in this area." the team boss pointed out Classic Mercedes for sale"You look at George and his generation, Max, they work on the simulator and they enjoy it. It's their generation. So, yes, I think anyone who enjoys being in the virtual world, whether it's on a platform at home or in a simulator at the factory, will have an advantage."

Although the first real indications relating to the nature of the races themselves will only be known at the dawn of the coming year, it seems that beyond the large differences, points of inequity could also arise between the different drivers.