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When I saw that the 2026 regs allowed cars to expend more battery power per lap than they could recover, it was blatantly PAINFULLY obvious that that would force the teams to be stingy with battery use else risk being overtaken by someone who had. I.E., Maria Kart racing.

Now the jeanyuses in the FIA think they'll fix that problem BY MAKING IT WORSE. The TR (C5.2.10) allows recovering 8.5 MJ (2.4 kWh)* and they're reducing that to 8.0 MJ (2.2 kWh) for the qualies at Suzuka. It's also going to exaggerate Mercedes' power advantage because, as was feared before the season began, (and my post above shows) Mercedes has a distinct advantage in ICE horsepower.

Of course it won't produce more see-saw overtaking because there isn't supposed to be any overtaking in the qualies. But if you wanted to guarantee Mercedes is going to lock out the front row -- and it ain't like they needed help in that regard -- this ought to do it.

*All the news reports I've come across say the existing limit was 9 MJ/lap but I'm reading from a copy of the TR dated 27 Feb of this year and the limit is 8.5 MJ, NOT 9.


RE: The FIA lowering the recovery to 8 MJ:
Gary Anderson proves that the FIA doesn't know how to add and subract.


Oliver Bearman offers blunt response to crucial F1 rule change

For a teenager, he's got a pretty good grasp of things (and he isn't what I'd call 'complimentary' of the rule change).

6 posted on 03/26/2026 2:35:35 PM PDT by Paal Gulli
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To: Paal Gulli

The Canal+ (FR) promo for the Aramco GP features a Mario Kart inspired promo.

https://x.com/MV33Racing/status/2034026917993513378

With roughly 320 km (two formation laps (one exiting pit road to the start line, and one before the race start) + 305km race + cool down lap) and 75 litres, and a 1 litre mandate at the end of the race, cars effectively are required to run 11 MPG or use 73 litres. That’s twice as efficient as an Indy car on a natural terrain road course. They’re running 19 gallons of fuel for 200 miles total in a race day when the tanks can carry 19.5 gallons, they can only use 19.

That’s for 200 miles they use 19 gallons. INDYCAR has 18.5 gallons of alcohol fuel and you need about 70 gallons for its longest natural terrain race. For a 400 mile oval race such as Nashville, you need four stops (five full tanks, about 100 gallons allowed). For a 500 mile race they have five stops (about 125 gallons of fuel required).


7 posted on 03/26/2026 3:04:33 PM PDT by WhiteHatBobby0701
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