Bortoleto refutes misconception that 2026 rules have slowed F1's elite drivers

Gabriel Bortoleto has dismissed the narrative that Formula 1's 2026 regulations have reset the competitive order by making fast drivers struggle. The Audi driver argued that adapting to new machinery is fundamental to elite racing, not an excuse for underperformance.

Why it matters:

The 2026 power units run on a near 50/50 split between internal combustion and electrical energy after the MGU-H's removal, fundamentally changing energy management. While several drivers have described the racing as chaotic or like "Formula E on steroids," Bortoleto believes the established order remains intact because the best simply adapt.

The details:

• Bortoleto told media he dislikes the term "driving style," insisting drivers must adapt to any car regardless of whether it feels natural. He said he has not fundamentally changed his approach from 2025, only fine-tuning entries and exits based on where electrical energy deploys.
• He used Spa's Fagnes chicane to illustrate that without deployment exiting Turn 13, he could attack harder without worrying about rear-end instability, whereas other corners demand conventional care.
• He challenged the notion that elite drivers have slowed, asking: "Do you see Verstappen being slow?" He noted Lewis Hamilton has improved from a winless 2025 to score a win and five podiums this year, while Verstappen continues to extract results from a difficult RB22.

The big picture:

The debate over whether 2026's energy-heavy formula has overshadowed raw skill continues to divide the paddock. While some drivers complain the cars feel unnatural, Bortoleto maintains that regulations change, but the ability to rewire technique corner-by-corner separates the grid's best from the rest.

What's next:

As teams refine power unit strategies through the season, the argument over whether these cars reward a specific style or punish those unwilling to evolve will intensify. For now, Bortoleto is betting on adaptability—and the standings at the sharp end suggest he has a point.