Formula 1’s 2026 regulations may reintroduce a familiar problem: turbo lag. With the removal of the MGU-H and greater reliance on electrical power, drivers could face delayed throttle response — a throwback to the sport’s turbo era that may impact overtaking and car control.
Concerns have arisen about a new element in F1 cars for 2026 that could complicate team performance: turbo lag. One of the most significant changes is that accumulated electrical power will provide half of the total energy through the MGU-K.
The elimination of the MGU-H, motivated by its complexity and high cost, has left a significant void. This unit not only stored extra energy but also served as an electric motor, helping address turbo lag. Without its assistance, this issue could resurface next season.
What is Turbo Lag?
Turbo lag is defined as the time between pressing the accelerator and receiving the extra boost from the turbo, which cannot immediately reach the revs necessary to generate the additional power. The turbine needs a few moments to spin up to high revs, as the exhaust gases do not instantly provide the energy needed to reach the ideal pressure.
This effect can cause a slow response when accelerating in corners, followed by a sudden increase in power on straights. In the past, drivers had the assistance of the MGU-H, which kept the turbine at high revs when braking or releasing the accelerator, something that could become problematic again in 2026.
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During the 1980s, F1 cars suffered considerably from this phenomenon, leading to turbo engines being banned in 1989 because they were considered excessively powerful, dangerous, and expensive. Red Bull is one of the teams that has expressed difficulties with this problem, considering it a challenge in the development of its engines.
It has even been reported that this lag was responsible for Isack Hadjar's accident during shakedown in Barcelona. In his analysis of the 2026 regulations for BBC Sport, Lando Norris warned of the return of turbo lag and commented: "The biggest challenge is to recover the batteries as best as possible, which depends on using the gears correctly and reaching the right revs.
“It's true that we now experience some turbo lag, something that wasn't so noticeable before. These small details have reappeared, but I don't think they will change in any significant way.”
drastic driving. In an ideal world, I might prefer not to have so many complications in a single-seater, but this is F1 and there will always be different challenges."
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