While Formula 1 insists - based on its own Formula 1 Fan Voice programme - that fans are enjoying the racing, drivers have been far more critical of the 2026 regulations so far.
One of the biggest talking points emerged at Spa-Francorchamps, where Oscar Piastri highlighted the issue of drivers being surprised by their own power units.
During qualifying, the Australian lost significant time on the straights compared to team-mate Lando Norris, with McLaren initially unable to explain why.
When team principal Andrea Stella held his media session on Saturday evening, the Italian explained that the power unit settings on both cars were virtually identical, leading him to point towards the "self-learning elements" of the power unit.
This is not Artificial Intelligence as most people know it, but it does involve forward-thinking algorithms that learn from lap to lap and even during a lap. If there is a deviation from the ideal energy management, these algorithms can adapt and determine the optimal deployment strategy for the remainder of the lap.
#formula
One of the biggest talking points emerged at Spa-Francorchamps, where Oscar Piastri highlighted the issue of drivers being surprised by their own power units.
During qualifying, the Australian lost significant time on the straights compared to team-mate Lando Norris, with McLaren initially unable to explain why.
When team principal Andrea Stella held his media session on Saturday evening, the Italian explained that the power unit settings on both cars were virtually identical, leading him to point towards the "self-learning elements" of the power unit.
This is not Artificial Intelligence as most people know it, but it does involve forward-thinking algorithms that learn from lap to lap and even during a lap. If there is a deviation from the ideal energy management, these algorithms can adapt and determine the optimal deployment strategy for the remainder of the lap.
#formula
4 days ago
