Gary Anderson: The Simple 2026 Rule Fix F1 Is Missing

title: Gary Anderson: The Simple 2026 Rule Fix F1 Is Missing

summary: Gary Anderson argues the 2026 hybrid rule draft still hands power delivery to software, not drivers. He proposes scaling electric boost to the ICE torque curve and giving drivers a manual boost button to restore true driver control.

content:

The 2026 power‑unit regulations promise a 50/50 split between the V6 engine and the electric motor, yet Gary Anderson says the draft still lets software dictate power, stripping drivers of real control. He suggests linking electric output to the engine’s torque curve and adding a driver‑controlled boost button, bringing back the driver‑first ethos that defines F1.

Why it matters:

• A genuine 50/50 split reshapes car balance, tyre wear and race strategy, directly influencing on‑track competition.
• Fixed‑output boosts hand power delivery to software, eroding the driver‑first appeal that makes F1 unique.

The details:

• The draft ties electric output to the engine’s peak power (≈350 kW) regardless of RPM, ignoring the torque curve.
• This creates an instant 350 kW surge when the throttle is opened, overheating rear tyres and hurting grip in wet or changing conditions.
• Anderson proposes scaling electric boost to the ICE’s instantaneous torque – e.g., at 250 kW ICE output the MGU‑K supplies 250 kW, scaling down as RPM falls.
• A driver‑controlled 50 kW boost button (max 10 s per lap when within a 1‑second gap) would replace the current software‑driven boost and let drivers decide when to use extra power.

What's next:

• The FIA could revise the 2026 rulebook to require torque‑curve‑based power mapping for 2027, restoring driver control.
• Teams may push for a driver‑activated boost button and additional regenerative options (front‑wheel harvest or a limited MGU‑H) to balance harvest and deployment.