Andrea Stella Calls for Greater Transparency Around F1’s 2026 Regulations

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has called on Formula 1 to be more transparent in explaining the technical details of the 2026 regulations, warning that the racing will look significantly different under the new rules.

The 2026 season will usher in what is widely regarded as the most extensive regulation overhaul in Formula 1 history. Cars will be smaller and lighter, while the power unit will feature an almost 50–50 split between internal combustion and electrical energy.

With electric power playing a much greater role, energy management will become a key performance factor. Drivers will need to balance harvesting and deployment, a dynamic that is further shaped by the introduction of ‘overtake mode’, a push-to-pass system that replaces DRS. The system allows drivers to deploy the maximum 350kW for longer periods, potentially creating scenarios where one car is aggressively deploying energy while another is conserving battery power.

Many within the paddock believe this will fundamentally alter how overtaking unfolds. Mercedes driver George Russell has suggested fans may see “overtakes in obscure locations,” while Williams team principal James Vowles noted that racing “will happen in a different way to what you’re used to now.”

Stella echoed those views, stressing that the complexity of the new regulations must be clearly communicated to fans to avoid confusion.

“It’s important that when overtaking happens and it may look strange that one car can pass another so easily, spectators understand why that was the case,” Stella said. “They need to be able to recognize situations where one car has a full battery and the car ahead is running low.”

He added that energy usage will become a visible and decisive variable in racing.

“The way the power unit is exploited as a racing and overtaking tool will be particularly important, and it needs to be communicated effectively to our audience.”

Stella also highlighted active aerodynamics as another major change arriving in 2026. Both front and rear wings will feature adjustable elements, switching between ‘straight mode’ available in designated zones, similar to DRS, and ‘corner mode’ as cars approach turns. In straight mode, the wings adopt a lower angle of attack to reduce drag, before returning to higher downforce settings for cornering.

“These concepts need to be clearly explained to fans,” Stella said. “What does it mean for energy consumption? You use much more energy if the wings aren’t opened. What does it mean for ride height? If the wings stay closed, the car runs lower, which can lead to grounding and bottoming, something fans may hear drivers talking about on the radio.”

Stella believes greater transparency will enhance the viewing experience rather than detract from it.

“The more we explain these elements to fans and spectators, the more engaged they will feel,” he concluded. “That understanding is key to maintaining the strong spectacle Formula 1 has delivered in recent years and one of the main reasons the sport has grown so dramatically in popularity.”

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