Story byMotorsport photoBen VinelFri, February 6, 2026 at 8:26 AM UTC·3 min readHaas driver Oliver Bearman described the energy management needed by 2026 Formula 1 cars as “annoying” and “sad”, with Esteban Ocon explaining the new machinery requires lifting early on straights. F1 is introducing new power units featuring a near-50:50 split between combustion and electric energy, with extra power provided by Overtake Mode (functioning like DRS) and Boost Mode (which can be used anywhere on the track). AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMost importantly, there will be greater emphasis on energy management as cars harvest energy under deceleration, meaning drivers will lift the throttle or even downshift before the braking point – even in qualifying. They may run out of electric deployment on longer straights anyway, a phenomenon known as clipping.“The annoying thing is definitely the energy management, the clipping and all of these things,” Bearman said. “It's definitely more than what we've been used to, but that's a given, considering the reliance on electrical as opposed to the previous generation.
