More meetings, more calculations, more fine-tuning: Oliver Bearman explains why Formula 1 will be more complex under the 2026 regulations
According to Oliver Bearman, the changes to the Formula 1 rules for 2026 not only have technical implications but also require significantly more coordination within the teams. The Haas driver describes managing electrical energy as one of the most complex challenges of the new regulations.
A key task is to make optimal use of the available electrical energy over the course of a lap while simultaneously recovering enough energy. Since the FIA specifies various parameters, the teams must calculate individually for each track where energy should be used or conserved.
Energy storage is limited to four megajoules, while up to nine megajoules can be used depending on the track section, which requires particularly precise planning.
Although the FIA publishes usage limits, engineers must analyze numerous details to identify areas with low power output or additional energy recovery. The goal is to achieve an optimal balance between energy consumption and energy recovery, which varies depending on track characteristics—such as straight-away length, corner layout, and corner radii.
“A lot of numbers on a sheet of paper”
According to Bearman, the complexity of the new regulations is particularly evident in the analysis of energy data. “It’s a lot of numbers on a sheet of paper,” explains Bearman. “And actually, the lap distances are also a bit confusing. Fortunately, we have a good group of people at the top who do all the work for us and sort it out.”
According to Bearman, the added complexity is also noticeable in day-to-day work. “Of course, there’s a lot more to discuss,” says the Brit. “For example, we now have a fixed meeting of 45 minutes to an hour every race weekend where we go over how we’re using energy and where it’s most effectively deployed on the straights.”
FIA Mitigates Some Issues in the 2026 Regulations
Ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, the FIA announced changes to the energy regulations. The rationale was concern that drivers would be forced to lift and coast too much on some tracks or could lose power before the end of long straights. The adjustments are intended to mitigate these effects and improve the drivability of the new cars.
However, they cannot completely solve the underlying problem. Haas Chief Engineer Gary Gannon emphasizes that energy management must continue to be carefully managed: “If you reduce the amount of energy recovered, the amount you can use also decreases.”
Nevertheless, Bearman sees progress in dealing with the new requirements: “It’s definitely another issue we have to think about. But now that we’re getting used to it, we’re making progress step by step.”