F1 in Belgium: The 2026 cars look pathetic on all the best racetracks
The author critiques the design of upcoming 2026 Formula 1 cars, arguing they are ill-suited for historic, high-speed tracks like Spa-Francorchamps. The piece highlights concerns regarding battery power limitations and the overall performance of the new vehicle specifications.
Why it matters
It reflects growing fan and expert concern over the technical direction of F1 and its impact on the sport's competitive integrity and entertainment value.
I tried to be positive F1 in Belgium: Machine learning algorithms are ruining the sport Many will say Spa is the best racetrack on earth, but not for these F1 cars.
5 Kimi Antonelli approaches the famous Eau Rouge corner. Credit: Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images Kimi Antonelli approaches the famous Eau Rouge corner. Credit: Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images Text settings Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only Learn more Minimize to nav Formula 1 returned to the Spa-Francorchamps circuit for the Belgium Grand Prix this weekend. This ribbon of tarmac in the Ardennes is one of the sport’s historic venues, featuring in the first F1 season way back in 1950. But as yesterday’s race showed, the current F1 machinery is utterly ill-suited to this dramatic venue.
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