As “Battery world Championship” isn’t an encouraging
F1 moniker!
Why did I think of that ‘Ol Kansas song with
the following lyrics, Eh?
“Once I rose above the noise and confusion
Just to get a glimpse beyond this illusion
I was soaring ever higher
But I flew too high”
Max Verstappen
“I found a cheaper solution. I swapped the
simulator for my Nintendo Switch and yeah, practicing a bit of Mario Kart,
actually.
“Finding the mushrooms is going quite well. The
blue shell is a bit more difficult, but I'm working on it. The rocket's still
not there. It's coming.”
(Source: grandprix.com)
Those were the words of Four-times F1 World
Champion Max Verstappen during Thursday’s Chinese Grand Prix press conference.
When asked if simulator work helped drivers in managing the complex 2026 car’s
energy systems.
This year’s Formula 1 season finds myself at
multiple crossroads. Having religiously “watched”, Err followed Formula 1 for
nearly 40 years now, with my debutante F1 race being the 1986 Detroit Grand
Prix. And cannot say I’m overly impressed with the latest interpretation of
thee “Pinnacle of Motorsports”.
Think we’ve all heard Max Blunderhead’s
critique of it being Formula E on Steroids, which I tend to agree with. As
what’s happened to the late Ayrton Senna’s famous quip “If you no longer go for
a Gap that exists, then you’re no longer a racing driver!
“As I’m mot here to finish third, fourth or
fifth, I drive to win”.
VIDEO: Ayrton Senna – If you
No longer Go for a Gap
And Fernando Alonso’s sarcastic quip about how
the (Aston Martin) chef could drive the car. Hell, half the team could drive
the car now! Since you no longer need any skill to drive these cars, instead
just managing the energy management system…
As formula 1 used to be about skill, bravery
and bravado of finding the outer limit of driving a car through flat out
corners like Spoon and 130R at Suzuka, which have been neutered!
Whilst Lando Norris has rightly pointed out how
the current F1 chassis has killed the soul of formula 1! With Charles Leclerc
lamenting how its all become about consistency over a lap and not being able to
drive on the ragged edge anymore…
While I’m guessing we’re all learning about
what this Super clipping is, eh? Which if I understand correctly, is when
today’s F1 chassis is left with no battery power on the straight and depending
solely upon the internal combustion engine (ICE) to propel the car forwards.
Seeing to a dramatic drop in performance and overall top speed.
Although I’ve read that this Super Clipping
phenomenon can even occur when the Power Unit is under full power, with the
energy management system deciding to “cut-in”.
F1
2026 Super Clipping explained
Today’s racecars are dependent upon the 50%
battery power, and with the subtraction of the MGU-H, (Motor Generator Heat
Unit) harvesting exhaust gasses to limit turbo lag. Drivers can only recharge
their battery during braking in corners, which leads to a lack of electrical
energy on circuits with long straights and little corner braking, which Suzuka
used to be.
Now am I advocating for the return of those
shrieking 3.0-litre normally aspirated V-10’s. I said speak up Sonny! What do
you mean my hearing Sucks? Huh? Did you say something eh?
I’m just left feeling that Formula 1 has gone
too far forward with this technical regulation cycle. With two immediate
thoughts, Err three springing to mind…
Do you all remember that despised Delta wing
racecar? Once hailed as the next generation of Indy Cars. As where did the
Delta wing go?
Along with the Handford device which made
overtaking occur Ah-Plenty’ in (CART) IndyCar racing. Perhaps being the
original Yo-Yo racing format, Eh?
Or how about the ridiculous amount of drivers
passing and then being repassed during the 2013 Indianapolis 500 Me Thinks? Or
whatever year there was some ridiculous 68 passes for the lead or something to
that effect.
As I’ve said many times before, I’m not an
engineer, nor do I pretend to play one. Or stay at Motel 6 or whatever the
tag-line is? Meaning I’ve got zero clue on how to solve this current dilemma…
But you only need to look at Oliver Bearman’s
nasty crash at Suzuka when encountering Franco Colapinto at a closing speed of
28mph. And indeed, Formula 1 is extremely lucky that Ollie’ walked away from
His 50G impact at 191mph with only bruising to His extremities!
Since why does the late Gilles Villeneuve crash
come to mind?
Whilst Lando’s comment about how He repassed
Lewis Hamilton at Suzuka even when He didn’t want to, solely due to the battery
system kicking in. And then having Hamilton immediately repass Him when His
energy store was depleted and Lewis could call “Slingshot On!” Is definitely
not real racing!
Although Lando sarcastically quipped after the
Japanese Grand Prix: “this is the Best racing ever!”
Yeah, I understand that IndyCar has its vaunted
P2P, ergo Push-to-Pass turbo boost system, going back at least to Champ Car.
And Formula 1 previously had DRS. (Drag Reduction System) Both artificial
methods to increase overtaking.
Its just that I’ve always thought F1 was
supposed to be the pioneers of technology that one day would filter down to our
road cars. Meaning do we really want everyone saying Slingshot On! Or pushing
the turbo boost button on our Freeways and residential streets?
And is Formula 1 really all about Megajoules
deployment? You make the call…
Partial song lyrics from: Kansas’s Carry On Wayward Son; 1976 Leftoverture Album.
