F1 Drivers Slam 2026 Power Units: 'Less Power Than F2'

Oliver Bearman has become the latest driver to slam Formula 1's 2026 power units after a frustrating Belgian Grand Prix, claiming mismatched battery deployment across manufacturers makes overtaking nearly impossible and leaves drivers with less power than Formula 2 during combustion-only phases. Following his 14th-place finish at Spa, he warned that high-speed circuits like Silverstone and Monza will remain "horrible" for years unless something changes.

Why it matters:

The 2026 regulations were designed to improve racing, but mounting criticism suggests the on-track reality is falling short. When energy deployment varies wildly between manufacturers and ICE-only running produces sub-F2 power levels, the competitive integrity and spectacle of the sport both suffer.

The details:

• Overtaking nightmare: Bearman explained that different manufacturers deploy battery energy in vastly different places, making attacks nearly impossible even with a clear pace advantage. He cited his inability to overtake Alex Albon despite being "decently faster."
• F2-level power: Drivers frequently hit "superclipping" periods where depleted batteries force ICE-only running. Bearman noted this leaves them with "less power than F2," stripping away the performance expected at motorsport's pinnacle.
• Computer-controlled grids: Oscar Piastri blasted qualifying being decided by "computers behaving or misbehaving," arguing that software-controlled energy management dictating grid positions is a "pretty crap way of going racing."

What's next:

With Spa already proving painful and similar tracks ahead, pressure is mounting on the FIA and manufacturers to address these imbalances. Unless deployment strategies align or regulations receive clarification, drivers anticipate more processional races and computer-dependent qualifying throughout the remainder of 2026.