The latest performances in the qualification of the Belgian GP have highlighted one of the nightmares of the 2026 season: Formula 1 drivers are being outperformed by the power units of their cars. In particular, Oscar Piastri from McLaren has suffered a significant disadvantage compared to his teammate Lando Norris, and this does not seem to stem from his driving skills.
In qualifying, Piastri was two-tenths behind Norris, with much of this deficit appearing during the derating phase, a moment when the vehicle’s batteries run out of electrical power and begin to reduce speed. The director of his team, Andrea Stella, has suggested that the algorithms of the power unit might be the main cause of the problem.
Stella explained that the performance differences between drivers cannot always be attributed to driving techniques. In circuits like Spa-Francorchamps, where power usage is critical, variations in how the power unit is managed can be extremely evident. In this case, Piastri has lost time on key straight lines due to slight deviations in his engine’s operation.
This phenomenon is not limited to McLaren. The drivers of the Mercedes team, George Russell and star driver Kimi Antonelli, have experienced a similar phenomenon, where speed differences are affected by how each driver uses their power unit. Stella states that the variability of results among team drivers makes it difficult to draw a clear conclusion about performances.
Electric motors, which must manage a complex real-time optimization system, can be unpredictable, making it difficult for drivers to control their performance. In Russell’s words, his focus has mainly been on straight-line speed rather than vehicle setup or tires.
With the aim of improving this aspect, Stella and his team are working to find solutions to the complexity of the algorithms, which learn from each lap and adjust performance accordingly. This new reality forces drivers to constantly adapt and overcome not only their competitors but also the limitations imposed by the technology of their vehicles.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
