Formula 1 is set to hold its first meeting where potential technical changes will be discussed.
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| Photo by Sam Bagnall |
With the new regulations, Formula 1 is facing a wave of criticism due to the electric component, which is now split 50/50 with the combustion engine. As a result, both fans and drivers have been complaining, especially during qualifying, where drivers cannot push their cars to the absolute physical limit because they have to manage battery usage.
Another issue mentioned by drivers and some fans is the so-called “yo-yo” racing effect, where the driver in front runs out of battery energy and gets overtaken by the car behind. This effect can then reverse once the driver behind recharges their battery.
Due to these concerns, technical chiefs from the teams, along with representatives from the FIA, Formula One Management (FOM), and power unit manufacturers, will meet on Thursday to discuss potential technical changes.
This meeting is not expected to bring immediate solutions, but rather to outline key areas that need to be addressed.
Another meeting will take place on April 20, this time involving team principals. Any proposed changes would then need to be approved by the World Motor Sport Council.
Possible changes:
There are several options being considered. One is a reduction in maximum electrical power from the current 350 kW. This would allow the battery energy to last longer and reduce the time drivers spend in “super clipping.”
Another possibility is reducing the available energy in qualifying from the current 9 MJ to 6 MJ. This would make battery management during qualifying less critical.
They are also expected to discuss active aerodynamics, which are currently only allowed in certain sections of the track. Under new proposals, these systems could be used more freely across the circuit.
At first glance, the simplest solution would be to change the ratio between electric energy and the combustion engine. However, there is a major issue: such a change would require hardware modifications—in other words, new power units—which cannot be introduced during the current season.
For now, we have to wait and see what these meetings will bring—if anything at all.