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Williams Details Fuel-Burn Strategies to Power 2026 F1 Laps

A tripling of electric motor output with only a small battery increase pushes teams to harvest mid‑lap.

Overview

  • Williams technical chief Matt Harman says engines may be run at high revs through some corners to recharge batteries.
  • Drivers could select unusually low gears to maximise regeneration, which introduces car balance and rear‑stability challenges.
  • Trackside engineering head Angelos Tsiaparas likens the method to hybrid road‑car harvesting and notes it is permissible under current rules but far more impactful in 2026.
  • Active aerodynamics will help reduce drag on straights yet are not expected to keep batteries sufficiently charged over a full lap.
  • Harman says competitive order will hinge on how well teams integrate power units with their redesigned chassis to manage energy recovery and deployment.