George Russell, as president of the World Drivers’ Affiliation (GPDA) has been the primary to supply a counterpoint to the brand new 2026 automobiles, so gentle and highly effective that pace might be a difficulty, “as you’ll be able to attain 258 m/h on a number of circuits,” says the Mercedes driver.
The magic overtaking button, the assault mode and the brand new electrical energy will make “the automobiles take fairly an enormous flip when it comes to efficiency. They will be exceptionally quick on the straights, most likely 258 m/h on most tracks, which is fairly spectacular,” says Russell.
New F1 speeds trigger concern
“It should have so little downforce on the straights that you’re going to virtually really feel such as you’re flying by means of the air. Think about a race the place it begins raining and also you’re carrying slick tires and you are going above that pace on a avenue circuit…these are inquiries to be answered.”
“Time will inform, however the automobiles are already tremendously quick. The place will we cease? Do the followers really want or wish to see this?” he advances on a F1 traditional, that on tv the viewer does not distinguish if a automotive is 5 seconds per lap slower.
“Clearly, security most likely must be improved, as a result of having an accident at that pace goes to be loopy,” provides the Brit. “With regards to security, sadly, historical past has informed us that incidents must occur earlier than adjustments are made, so I believe everybody must do a really thorough job earlier than they put this regulation in place, as a result of the automobiles are going to be so quick,” insists George, who provides somewhat credit score to the highest federating physique.
“To be truthful to the FIA, they’re totally conscious of this, they’re conscious of this and they’re taking a look at all doable eventualities of what may occur,” he says.
“From a driving standpoint, you need the quickest automobiles, you wish to really feel such as you’re in a fighter jet and in 2020 and 2021 it felt that manner, and now these automobiles are getting actually quick once more,” he added.
“It might be a disgrace to lose a few of that automotive efficiency. However then again, it would enhance the racing if there may be much less downforce and fewer soiled air. You possibly can’t have all of it and you must choose your battles – what’s it that we wish to obtain? For me, what you need is to have good, arduous racing and robust competitors, ideally, between each group and each driver.”
Groups in the meantime appear extra involved about assembly deadlines and having the ability to transfer ahead with the general aerodynamic idea, with these new X- or Z-position wings for corners or straights, and a few groups even doubt that the batteries will maintain up on a regular basis, leading to sluggish automobiles on observe.
In the event that they must make them larger, they doubt that the automobiles can weigh 30 kg much less as foreseen by the brand new laws.
