The Brazilian driver explained that the new Formula 1 cars require drivers to manage energy throughout the entire lap and acknowledged that the hybrid system can lead to unexpected overtakes during the race.
The start of the 2026 Formula 1 season introduced major technical changes to how drivers manage their cars. The new regulations significantly increased the weight of the electrical system, affecting the car’s overall performance and forcing drivers to carefully manage available energy on each lap.
In that context, Gabriel Bortoleto explained how this new energy balance is altering the behavior of cars on the track. The Brazilian driver acknowledged that, in some cases, the characteristics of the hybrid system can generate unexpected situations during wheel-to-wheel battles.
One of the clearest examples appears on the streets. If a car uses too much energy in a previous sector, it can run out of electrical power before completing maximum acceleration. When that happens, the car loses speed at the most critical moment of the straight.
Bortoleto described that phenomenon with a phrase that summarizes the situation several drivers are experiencing in this early stage of the championship. “I made overtakes that I didn’t want to,” he explained while referring to passes that occur when the car ahead loses electrical power earlier than expected.
In those circumstances, the driver coming from behind can suddenly gain several kilometers per hour. The overtake happens almost automatically, even when the driver is not preparing an offensive move.
The Brazilian emphasized that the phenomenon is directly related to the way the hybrid system’s battery is managed. Each lap requires balancing attack with energy conservation for the fastest sectors of the circuit.
“Sometimes you have to lift earlier than you want,” he said while explaining that drivers must reduce acceleration before reaching certain sections of the track to allow the battery to recover charge.
This behavior changes the traditional instincts of driving in Formula 1. Instead of pushing at maximum power at every moment, drivers must plan more precisely when to use all the available power.
According to Bortoleto, the learning process is still ongoing. Teams and drivers continue to analyze data from the first races to understand how to optimize energy use.
Each circuit presents different challenges. Tracks with long straights can cause higher electrical consumption, while layouts with more braking zones allow energy to be recovered more easily.
Ultimately, the Brazilian believes that the 2026 regulations force teams to rethink the dynamics of racing. Energy management has become a strategic element that can directly influence overtaking opportunities.
With the championship just beginning, the way drivers and teams learn to manage this new technical balance will be decisive for the development of the upcoming races.