Lawson taps Formula E champion Cassidy for engine‑management insights ahead of F1’s 2026 hybrid era

Liam Lawson believes the fastest way to master the 50/50 hybrid power units arriving in Formula 1 in 2026 is to learn from fellow New Zealander Nick Cassidy, the reigning Formula E champion. Cassidy’s flawless energy‑management at the Mexico City E‑Prix – climbing from 13th to win by perfect timing of attack‑mode and battery use – gave Lawson a concrete example of how to squeeze every joule out of the new system.

Why it matters:

• 2026 rules split power‑unit output 50 % electric, 50 % combustion and replace DRS with an “overtake” mode that rewards precise energy deployment.
• Drivers who can stretch MGU‑K boost and conserve sustainable‑fuel will gain a measurable lap‑time advantage.
• Lawson’s early study of Formula E tactics could narrow the learning curve for Racing Bulls, putting him ahead of rivals still adapting to the new regulations.

The details:

• Cassidy’s Mexico win – surged from P13, timed attack‑mode activation, and allocated battery power to stay inside the one‑second overtaking window.
• New F1 tools – “overtake” mode adds extra engine torque when a car is within one second of the car ahead; “boost” lets drivers deploy MGU‑K energy anywhere on the circuit.
• Power‑unit shift – sustainable fuel replaces conventional blends; the hybrid system now delivers roughly equal electrical and thermal output.
• Team insights – Helmut Marko says Verstappen’s success will hinge on energy strategy, while Toto Wolff argues Hamilton’s strength lies in intelligent energy management.

What’s next:

Lawson will meet Cassidy this winter to dissect the E‑Prix data and translate it into the VCARB03 set‑up. If the lessons stick, he could turn the new overtaking and boost tools into race‑winning weapons, forcing rivals to look beyond traditional F1 engineering for clues.