Brundle: Miami Fixes Made Cars 'Look Alive Again' After Early-Season Energy Woes

Martin Brundle believes Formula 1 finally got on top of its energy management issues in Miami, hailing changes that eliminated much of the 'labouring' seen earlier this season. The adjustments, agreed after meetings during the April break, aimed to distribute power more evenly and reduce dangerous closing speeds, restoring driver confidence and spectacle.

Why it matters:

The early-season backlash threatened the credibility of the new 2026 engine regulations, with drivers comparing the racing to Mario Kart. The Miami fixes demonstrate the sport's ability to adapt quickly, preserving the competitive integrity and safety of the show.

The details:

• The FIA reduced the maximum recharge in qualifying from 8MJ to 7MJ, lessening the need for battery harvesting.
• Super clips were increased from 250kW to 350kW to shorten their duration.
• For races, boost mode was capped at 150kW and MGU-K deployment limited to 250kW in certain zones.
• In Miami, the qualifying recharge reduction wasn't needed due to only two seconds of super clipping per lap, but deployment limits were applied.
• Brundle noted drivers were much happier, cars looked fast and alive, and there was a decent surplus of power over grip on corner exits.

Looking ahead:

The Miami weekend saw Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli win, with McLaren closing the gap in the standings. While Miami's layout was forgiving, the rule finessing provides a blueprint for future circuits. Further tweaks may be needed, but the initial response suggests Formula 1 has turned a corner.