Norris: F1 Should 'Sack Off' Batteries Amid Complex 2026 Power Unit Tightrope

Reigning world champion Lando Norris has doubled down on his criticism of Formula 1's 2026 power units, bluntly calling for the sport to "sack off" batteries entirely. Speaking ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, the McLaren driver delivered a detailed breakdown of the energy management tightrope drivers must navigate under the new 50:50 split between internal combustion and electric power.

Why it matters:

The 2026 regulations were designed to increase electrical output, but they have created a binary track philosophy that leaves drivers exposed on "energy starved" circuits. With deployment now dependent on heavy braking zones to regenerate power, the racing risks becoming an energy conservation exercise rather than flat-out competition, directly challenging F1's emphasis on pure pace.

The details:

• Track Divide: Circuits now fall into two distinct categories. Fast, flowing tracks like Silverstone, Spa, and Albert Park drain batteries quickly due to limited heavy braking zones, while tight venues like the Hungaroring allow near-full deployment.
• Regulatory Frustrations: Norris highlighted a recent rule change regarding the 210kph threshold, where lifting and reapplying the throttle causes the system to waste battery by artificially limiting the interaction between the ICE and battery.
• Overtaking Penalties: The McLaren driver cited situations where evasive actions or overtaking maneuvers trigger unintended battery drain. He referenced his Japan incident where clipping the throttle to avoid a rival left him in a depleted state with no recovery option.
• Software Sensitivity: Despite nearly identical coding, Norris noted that microscopic variances over a seven-kilometre lap—sometimes just three metres of extra throttle—can leave a driver with 20% less battery and effectively compromise the entire lap.

What's next:

Norris believes the sport has witnessed the worst of the energy crisis at Silverstone and Spa, and expects Hungary to offer a reprieve with its stop-start layout. However, he insists that several simple fixes must be implemented before next season, arguing that while operational wrinkles can be ironed out, the fundamental reliance on heavy battery deployment remains the core problem.