mwillems wrote: ↑16 Feb 2026, 14:01
LionsHeart wrote: ↑16 Feb 2026, 10:19
mwillems wrote: ↑15 Feb 2026, 15:43
I can see the argument that the traction to power crossover may occur later, allowing ERS to ramp progressively, and a bit later, so that we have more deployment in the high speed phase of the straight, or we can max out deployment more later in the straight.
But if the strategy really is to lean more on electrical torque at the top end as you mentioned at the start, I’d expect to see slightly longer gearing in the top two gears to reflect that. I’m not sure the current ratios fully support the idea that we'll have strong top speed on the straight, but I do agree the lower gears look set up to let the ICE carry more of the exit. It may be just my understanding, I'm sure all will become clear to me/us in time. At the moment, that gearing means we have either got it really right, or there is a disadvantage in deployment/drag, because longer gears, if you do have the energy and the car is slippy, would still benefit I would think?
I suspect we aren't even scratching the surface of the physics here, if I'm honest.
I'll chime in a bit, as the topic of gear ratios is very interesting. The gear ratio of a single gear is also interesting, but does that graph already include the final drive ratio? If so, then shorter gears deliver more torque to the drive wheels. Also, given that energy isn't always released from the battery, this will make it easier for the internal combustion engine to rotate the wheels. In other words, less electrical energy will be required to produce the same amount of torque at the wheels.
Theoretically, this should allow the car to use a lower-power electric energy map, thereby better preserving the battery's overall charge over long race distances. The same applies to long straights, when the car is driven at full throttle for extended periods. This also leads to another consequence: the engine revs higher, fuel consumption is slightly higher, and the opportunity for energy recovery during braking is slightly greater. This shouldn't affect overall acceleration, but it can help in areas where electric energy is released only at partial capacity, or not at all. One such example in Bahrain is the approach to turns 12-13, where only the combustion engine is running.
Shorter gearing will give slightly better chassis rotation in medium-speed corners. The engine also revs up faster, which should also reduce turbo lag. Although with a dual-clutch transmission, I don't think this happens in higher gears. Perhaps only when exiting slow and medium-speed corners, or when starting from a standing start. Again, understanding that clipping will start earlier, shorter gears allow you to downshift a little later without losing resistance in the transmission.
Perhaps someone else has a different opinion on this matter. I'd be happy to hear others' thoughts on this matter.
Yes this is what we are saying (Though without the context of rotation and turbo lag), but highlighting that it may be an indicator that they expect to run with less top speed, or are happy to sacrifice some top speed for the sake of gearing and single circuit performance (ICE doing more work earlier, and the traction limit transition to power limit occuring a bit later on exit), but with the caveat that it could also be an indicator of drag or perhaps that we think our efficiency might be less that what other teams think they will have.
Or we are spot on! lol We can't know just know, but it is the first indicator of what the team are thinking.
Aside from that, given that speed differences can be 10kph or more, and that unlike DRS the speed difference will occur and grow earlier on the straight (DRS speed differential was always the last few seconds on a straight, and minimal time difference) - that the speed differential could be a material race issue - if it materialises and our closer competitors have better deployment and drag.
So whilst we cannot know the answer, the concern was that gearing itself might highlight an issue with drag or deployment. Might.
We are though, at testing at least, the fastest Merc powered car in a straight line, so then there is the question of politics and sandbagging, and if you look at all the comments from every team about their pace, it does feel very much like we are steeped in a political battle and the comments about performance may have absolutely nothing to do with actual performance
I suspect that gearing is very much going to be linked to "average" corner profiles for engine braking, rear balance, rear wear, driving style and harvesting - and probably the affect these things will have on the front. And the original question from me was, since they are doing so much learning as to what is the right amount of RPM and gearing through certain corners, are they still able to alter their gearing before the seasons start. But then it grew.
Since they added eighth gear in the turbo era, I don't know how, when, or even if it's possible to change the gear ratio once a season. This was the practice before. But apparently, that's why they added eighth gear, to save teams from producing an infinite number of gear ratios. I don't see a big problem here. It's easier to change this by 2027, having gained as much experience as possible this year. Eight gears provide sufficient variability, provided that teams can try out a wide variety of configurations in the simulator.
Remember back in 2024, when we spent a lot of time discussing McLaren's energy release? How they expend more energy during the initial acceleration phase, causing them to clip earlier. The energy deployment was different, which affected the top speed at the end of the straights, but at the same time, the straight section was covered in a minimal amount of time. Well, now this year, everyone will be like that.
I do think, however, that with the new generation of cars, the time spent on straight sections will increase. Overall, the new cars won't be as efficient. That's the price you pay for all those eco-friendly features.
And this is an organization that supposedly works for safety around the world. I hope that the starting procedure will be revised, otherwise the races will turn into a farce before they even begin.