Overview
- The FIA's virtual technical meeting, which convenes Thursday, launches a data-led review of the new rules after Oliver Bearman’s Suzuka crash exposed dangerous speed differences between cars harvesting energy and those deploying it.
- Mercedes stays the early benchmark under the 2026 format, with Autosport reporting an estimated 15bhp power-unit edge over Ferrari and stronger battery harvesting that has delivered an average 0.497s qualifying gap across three rounds.
- Engine-balance relief under the Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities system, which grants upgrades to power units measured 2–4% off the FIA’s benchmark, is under timing review after calendar changes shifted the original round‑six checkpoint.
- Drivers and pundits are pressing for more linear power delivery and safer energy rules after Lando Norris described an overtake triggered by battery logic rather than throttle input, adding urgency to any near‑term fixes the FIA could deploy.
- Teams are using the unexpected break to develop upgrades, with Ferrari booking a Monza filming day on April 22 to trial a revised floor, cooling and weight-saving parts plus an updated rear wing concept before deciding when to race them.