PolePositionist

Sorry, but I’ve got to have a small rant here, and I know it's the first race weekend. Yes, we’re at one of the worst tracks for energy harvesting and recharging, but seeing cars slow down massively halfway down a straight just isn’t F1. I don’t really have a problem with the chassis rules or the aero (if you look past the active aero). The problem is clearly the PU regs. A 50/50 or 53/47 split was always going to be difficult once they removed the MGU-H. These cars are energy-starved. They could go much quicker through T9-10, but the PU just doesn’t allow it. The cars are lighter, more nimble, and generally look nicer to drive than the stiff, low-to-the-ground ground-effect cars from recent seasons. With a different engine split — something like 65/35 or 70/30 — they could’ve been really nice.

👀 The early verdict on the 2026 regs: racing works — qualifying doesn’t. - F1 teams say the new regs are already delivering strong races, with Australia and China easing early concerns. No real panic about the product. - Because of that, teams and the FIA don’t want major changes — the focus is on small, targeted tweaks. - The main issue is qualifying, where drivers can’t push flat-out due to energy limits — going against the idea of maximum attack. - Drivers are lifting and coasting even on flying laps, which feels unnatural and hurts the spectacle. - The focus now is fixing qualifying without hurting the racing, with targeted solutions being discussed. [@autosport]

🔴⚫ 𝐅𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐢 𝐯𝐬 𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐬 — 𝐭𝐰𝐨 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐏𝐔 𝐩𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐬 - Ferrari has gone for a smaller turbo on its 2026 PU - But rivals believe its responsiveness comes from more than just that — questions have been raised - Mercedes runs a larger turbo, offset by better energy recovery - Ferrari is expected to move to a larger turbo for 2027 [@SmilexTech]

Well well well.

Diogo Moreira with an Ayrton Senna tribute helmet for his home GP in Goiânia, Brazil 🇧🇷 Love it.

⚫🔴 𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐬 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤 — 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐢 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡-𝐮𝐩. - Mercedes is the clear PU benchmark for 2026, with a key edge in electrical management and the ability to sustain peak power for longer. - The FIA is tracking engine performance against Mercedes, with upgrade opportunities triggered if manufacturers fall 2–4% (~20bhp) behind. - Ferrari believes Mercedes could be holding back performance to keep rivals above the 2% threshold and limit additional upgrades. - Ferrari is estimated to be around 15bhp down and is already working on a new ICE, identifying the power unit as its main weakness. - Despite possibly having the best chassis (~1% advantage), Ferrari expects 2026 to be a transitional year, targeting major engine gains for 2027. [@wearetherace]

The cancellation of the Middle Eastern races in April has resulted in the shift of the first ADUO evaluation period (round 6) from Miami to Monaco. According to Motorsport-Magazine, the FIA is set to propose an earlier deadline to engine manufacturers. Since Mercedes are likely the only opposers to the change, approval of the amendment seems probable. motorsport-magazin.com/formel1/news-2…

@protor04 @GiulyDuchessa @RosarioGiuliana I'm looking forward to it too! I appreciate it, mate. I ain't stopping, I'll continue 👊

@PolePositionist @GiulyDuchessa @RosarioGiuliana Yeah that definitely makes sense. I’m certainly looking forward to seeing how this “package and a half” performs. Thank you for all the awesome posts lately btw, I’ve been thoroughly enjoying it and it’s been genuinely useful. Keep it up!!! 🔥

🔴 Ferrari to test upgrade package at Monza. - Ferrari will have a filming day at Monza, to evaluate the big "package and a half" for the SF-26. - This will happen during the month-long break between Japan and Miami. [@GiulyDuchessa & @RosarioGiuliana]

⚫🔴 𝐓𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐬’ 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐢 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐨𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐭. - Mercedes’ advantage in Shanghai starts right at the corner exit — telemetry shows stronger acceleration as soon as the throttle is applied - Ferrari is competitive mid-corner, but loses time immediately after the apex, where Mercedes builds more speed within ~100m - Acceleration data shows early positive spikes for Mercedes, pointing to better initial energy deployment — not just top speed - The gap is systematic across the lap: Ferrari holds in the corners, Mercedes pulls away on every exit - Ferrari’s stronger mid-corner comes at a cost — higher tyre stress, leading to more degradation and a bigger drop-off in race pace [@GiulyDuchessa & @Auto_Racer_it]

@TayyibAbu1 x.com/PolePositionis…

@PolePositionist Some of those corners have been easy flat for years

Just some Suzuka thoughts. There are so many high speed, spectacular corners, that will be easy flat because of the PU’s this year. T1, Degner 1, Spoon curve, 130R. The cars will most likely be super clipping (or harvesting in other ways) into these corners, which will make them “ordinary”.

Yes, I know most of these corners have been flat for ages. I worded it weirdly. They will be easy flat, at a way slower speed compared to what we’re used to.

🔴 The "halo-wing" will return! - The semi-transparent "Haletta" mounted on the central pylon caused controversy, but the prototype was perfectly legal in terms of volumes and will return refined with an even thinner material. [@GiulyDuchessa]