How does the 2026 hybrid system work

[cedar flume]

I'd love to learn more about modern formula cars and ive seen a lot of people mention about the new 2026 engines but how different are they from previous hybrid systems and cars and why are they hated

[bold cipher]

The most fundamental difference is that the current hybrid engines rely a lot more on electrical power than previous engines did. Basically, there was a shift from a supporting electrical engine, to something more akin to two equal engines, one electrical, one combustion.

Now, the difference that arises from this, is that the electrical engine, if it's to give more power, it'll require more energy. This is really the crux of the issue: feeding this engine.

While previous electrical engines could be easily recharged with simple methods, and didn't require any special attention or effort, these new engines demand more ways to recharge, more time to recharge, more precision and efficiency in their recharging.

By far the most important way to recharge the current electrical engine is with... the combustion engine. This is what people are called 'superclipping' (no clue why), the moment where the combustion engine is not sending energy to the wheels, but rather to the electrical engine. This leads to something unprecedented in Formula One: cars losing speed where they should not.

Why they are hated is simple: when people look at Formula One, or motorsports in general, they want to see driver performance, that is, the skill of the driver deciding, to the extent that is possible, the outcome of the race. Battery recharging is almost entirely out of driver skill, and is dependent instead on a lot of research done beforehand. Races then become closer to strategic management, moving away from the desired showdown between athletes.

[cedar flume]

Ohh i see

Thanks

[cedar flume]

@bold cipher do you know how the current f1 engines differ from like let's say wec cars?