As the 2026 era begins, a new term is dominating the paddock: super-clipping. The complex energy-management technique could become a decisive factor for drivers like Sergio Pérez throughout the season.
The 2026 F1 season will be full of buzzwords that will be repeated over and over again. The latest addition was unveiled in Melbourne: “super-clipping,” and here we explain why it is key for drivers like Sergio Pérez.
Fans got their first glimpse of the 2026 cars in action during the Australian Grand Prix, where Mercedes confirmed widespread fears and George Russell took the win. Among all the teams, Mercedes was almost the only one to leave Melbourne satisfied on Sunday, while the paddock was filled with unhappy drivers and social media was buzzing with criticism. The 2026 cars show that energy management takes precedence over traditional race dynamics.
In addition, a new term emerged during the weekend's broadcast: “super-clipping.” Here's everything you need to know about this concept. One of the biggest challenges in 2026 is recovering and storing electrical energy in the battery of the new power units, a task that until now has been performed using the “lift and coast” method.
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However, there is a more complex technique called “super-clipping.” This term describes the situation in which energy is captured from the engine at the end of a straight or in a high-speed corner, causing deceleration even though the driver has the throttle wide open. Super-clipping comes at a price. When applied, it reduces top speed, as some of the energy is stored in the MGU-K for later use rather than being transmitted directly to the rear wheels.
At the Australian Grand Prix on Saturday, Norris described the 2026 cars as “probably the worst ever made” and said that the 50/50 split between combustion engine and electric power “doesn't work” because there is too much deceleration before corners, which is essentially super-clipping.
From Norris to Verstappen, the message is clear. F1 drivers are uncomfortable driving this way and hope that dialogue with those responsible for changes in the sport will improve the current situation.
Ultimately, how drivers adapt to super-clipping could quietly become one of the defining factors of the 2026 season, shaping race strategy, overtaking opportunities, and the competitive balance across the entire Formula 1 grid.
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