Story perspectives

Drivers Decry Power-Limited Electric F1 Cars at Belgian GP

7/20/2026

Summary

Drivers Decry

Drivers at the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix said the new electric-powered Formula 1 cars limit driver control.
Polesitter Kimi Antonelli recorded a 1:44.361 lap, roughly four seconds slower than last year’s pole.
Max Verstappen described the opening lap as “incredible” because of the large speed gaps behind Antonelli’s car.
Oscar Piastri said drivers feel powerless as software dictates electrical power, calling the system “a pretty crap way of going racing.”

Summary

Hadjar Beats Verstappen

Isack Hadjar started from the back after a penalty for his fifth power unit and reached sixth by lap 15.
Red Bull pitted him twice in the two laps, switching from hard to medium tyres then back to hards.
His ten-lap average of 1:49.727 beat Max Verstappen’s 1:49.809, demonstrating top-three pace.
Laurent Mekies called it Hadjar’s best race, noting he has 60 points, double last year’s Red Bull second-car total.

Summary

Verstappen Complains

Max Verstappen said the Virtual Safety Car timing left him and Kimi Antonelli unable to challenge Charles Leclerc.
Verstappen added the hard-compound tyres never gave him confidence like the medium tyres, hurting his second-stint performance.
Laurent Mekies expected Spa-Francorchamps to be energy-starved but found it less problematic.
Toto Wolff said cars lacked battery energy on the Kemmel Straight, where Leclerc’s speed surprised Verstappen.

History

Historical Context

In 2014 the FIA replaced 2.4-L V8s with 1.6-L V6 turbo-hybrid power units, adding kinetic and heat energy recovery and a 100 kg/h fuel-flow limit. The change forced teams such as Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari to redesign strategies and drove spending that later prompted the 2021 cost-cap. At Spa-Francorchamps drivers Max Verstappen and rookie Kimi Antonelli now echo those early concerns about software-limited power.

1 of 4

Drivers Decry

Drivers at the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix said the new electric-powered Formula 1 cars limit driver control.
Polesitter Kimi Antonelli recorded a 1:44.361 lap, roughly four seconds slower than last year’s pole.
Max Verstappen described the opening lap as “incredible” because of the large speed gaps behind Antonelli’s car.
Oscar Piastri said drivers feel powerless as software dictates electrical power, calling the system “a pretty crap way of going racing.”

1 / 4