George Russell has raised concerns about an unusual issue facing drivers for the upcoming 2026 Formula 1 season as teams prepare for new technical regulations. During early testing, drivers discovered the need to downshift on long straights to maintain engine revs once energy deployment phases conclude, sparking conversations about how this will affect race dynamics.
Testing and Simulator Insights Reveal Downshifting Requirement
As the 2025 season concluded, teams began extensive simulator work to understand the 2026 cars, unveiling a notable challenge: loss of engine revs on long straights when energy output is depleted. Drivers have expressed mixed reactions to this phenomenon, which adds complexity to driving strategy. In the first shakedown at Barcelona, Russell completed 365 laps, the highest among drivers, providing valuable feedback to his team.
Russell shared relief over the absence of porpoising effects and noted no negative surprises so far.
“It’s finally nice to have no porpoising, to be honest,”
he said, reflecting on the car’s improved stability during testing.
Regarding the downshifting concerns, Russell acknowledged ongoing discussions within the power unit teams.
“From the power unit side, there was obviously lots of chat around potentially having a downshift in the straights in some circumstances,”
he said, adding,
“That will probably continue to be the case—but it doesn’t feel that abnormal, to be honest.”
Analogy Explains the Driving Adjustments Needed
Russell likened the need to downshift during racing to everyday driving situations.
“The way I would describe it is like if you’re driving your car up a hill, you’re still going flat out, but you’re losing a bit of speed. You may just downshift to give you a bit of extra revs to get up that hill.”
This comparison illustrates how drivers will have to adapt their technique when energy deployment limits affect power delivery.
Simulator Experience Feels Stranger Than On-Track Reality
While downshifting seemed unusual in simulator testing, Russell noted that the sensation was less pronounced in actual driving conditions.
“It felt more bizarre in the simulator than it did in reality, to be honest. I spoke with a few other drivers, and they actually commented the same. So that was quite intuitive,”
he commented, showing a shared understanding among drivers about adapting to these new technical conditions.
Implications for Teams and the Season Ahead
The 2026 regulations promise a radical transformation in Formula 1, and Russell’s insights provide an early glimpse into some of the hurdles drivers and teams will face. As Williams and other outfits push forward with their technical developments, driver feedback like Russell’s will shape car designs and race strategies.
With input from key figures including Russell, teams are expected to optimize their power units and energy management systems throughout the remaining tests and into the new season. The adjustments needed to accommodate these “bizarre” challenges could redefine how races unfold on iconic circuits such as Barcelona and Daytona, where drivers have already begun adapting to the changes.
This phase of evolution might also bring unpredictable competitive dynamics, making the 2026 season one of the most intriguing chapters in recent Formula 1 history.
