Slower than Hungary? Why F1 drivers think Italian GP will be 'weird'
Formula 1 drivers are expressing concerns about the 2026 car regulations ahead of the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. Due to energy management constraints, the cars are expected to have lower top speeds and unusual performance profiles compared to previous years.
Why it matters
This highlights the technical challenges and potential fan-experience issues arising from F1's shift toward new energy-efficient power unit regulations.
Formula 1 Slower than Hungary? Why F1 drivers think Italian GP will be 'weird' Jon Noble, Josh Suttill 04 Sep 2026 — 5 min read Formula 1 drivers have talked about being braced for a “weird”, “confusing” and “not fantastic” experience in driving Monza for this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix.
The energy-starved 2026 F1 cars are going to face their most extreme challenge so far, and it is going to throw up some quirks that may be a step beyond what has been witnessed at other venues.
From the outside, some of the unusual elements may not be so obvious, but drivers have already offered us some insight about what they expect.
When Formula 1’s 2026 regulations were first tried out on simulators, Monza proved to be one of the most troublesome tracks on the calendar.
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