2026 Chinese Grand Prix - Shanghai, March 13-15

[NoDivergence]

These new regulations are leading to much closer and more exciting racing than in the ground effect era.

Au contraire; there was some intra-team yoyo passing, combined with energy starved cars that took corners on a 75% power output.
The end result at least wasn't "much closer" either compared to last year.

China 2026:
1. K. Antonelli – 1:33:15.607
2. G. Russell – +5.515s
3. L. Hamilton – +25.267s
4. C. Leclerc – +28.894s
5. O. Bearman – +57.268s
6. P. Gasly – +59.647s
7. L. Lawson – +80.588s
8. I. Hadjar – +87.247s
9. C. Sainz – +1 lap
10. F. Colapinto – +1 lap

China 2025:
1. O. Piastri – 1:30:55.026
2. L. Norris – +9.748s
3. G. Russell – +11.097s
4. M. Verstappen – +16.656s
5. E. Ocon – +49.969s
6. K. Antonelli – +53.748s
7. A. Albon – +56.321s
8. O. Bearman – +61.303s
9. L. Stroll – +70.204s
10. C. Sainz – +76.387

Wheel to wheel racing. Yes, racing

[venkyhere]

If we had smaller gaps the racing would be really great. Even right now the racing is pretty good, especially in earlier parts of the races. I'm hoping that the teams close the gap before the aero development makes following close too hard.

Totally disagree.

Racing today is far worst than when DRS was at its worst. Formula One should be about skill, no state of charge

I just don't understand why state of charge and skill are mutually exclusive in your view. I race in a power to weight class and I run low power, low weight, wide tire, big aero. I am up against cars weighing 600lbs more than me and 80hp more with a flat power curve (big v8 vs. my small straight 6). If I am fighting a driver/car that does the same lap time as me he can fly by me for free on the straights and I have to catch up and pass/gap in the corners. I guess I could say his driving doesn't take skill but I know that's not the case. We are making lap time in different ways and are racing each other.

I think these cars are very lively and quick. The lighter weight, smaller platform, instant punch of electric power makes them look quick and loose. These drivers are pushing as hard as they can (tire limited!!!!) to beat the other driver. They get a free over take via battery but they know they have to try to see if they can hold that spot on the next lap when the other driver will have more power. That actually makes for more racing. It's not perfect but I have surprisingly enjoyed it so far. I hope they improve the tires and performance converges.

That said I do not love the deceleration on straights, it is definitely a little lame, particularly in qualy.

Only one Q :
Does your lightweight car decide for itself where it wants to be fast and where it wants to be slow ?
Ie, is the pedal map dynamically changing depending on where you are on the track ?
Or is your cars pedal faithful to your foot ?
That's all you need to think, to understand what the criticism is

[Waz]

Totally disagree.

Racing today is far worst than when DRS was at its worst. Formula One should be about skill, no state of charge

I just don't understand why state of charge and skill are mutually exclusive in your view. I race in a power to weight class and I run low power, low weight, wide tire, big aero. I am up against cars weighing 600lbs more than me and 80hp more with a flat power curve (big v8 vs. my small straight 6). If I am fighting a driver/car that does the same lap time as me he can fly by me for free on the straights and I have to catch up and pass/gap in the corners. I guess I could say his driving doesn't take skill but I know that's not the case. We are making lap time in different ways and are racing each other.

I think these cars are very lively and quick. The lighter weight, smaller platform, instant punch of electric power makes them look quick and loose. These drivers are pushing as hard as they can (tire limited!!!!) to beat the other driver. They get a free over take via battery but they know they have to try to see if they can hold that spot on the next lap when the other driver will have more power. That actually makes for more racing. It's not perfect but I have surprisingly enjoyed it so far. I hope they improve the tires and performance converges.

That said I do not love the deceleration on straights, it is definitely a little lame, particularly in qualy.

Only one Q :
Does your lightweight car decide for itself where it wants to be fast and where it wants to be slow ?
Ie, is the pedal map dynamically changing depending on where you are on the track ?
Or is your cars pedal faithful to your foot ?
That's all you need to think, to understand what the criticism is

It's been like this since the start of the hybrid era. You didn't notice because the MGU-H was filling in where they now have super clipping. The MGU-K was also less powerful, so regen was easier.

But the deployment has at least since 2015, been automatic and calibrated to where the car is on track, which determined how much power and for how long to deploy.

[bananapeel23]

These new regulations are leading to much closer and more exciting racing than in the ground effect era.

Au contraire; there was some intra-team yoyo passing, combined with energy starved cars that took corners on a 75% power output.
The end result at least wasn't "much closer" either compared to last year.

China 2026:
1. K. Antonelli – 1:33:15.607
2. G. Russell – +5.515s
3. L. Hamilton – +25.267s
4. C. Leclerc – +28.894s
5. O. Bearman – +57.268s
6. P. Gasly – +59.647s
7. L. Lawson – +80.588s
8. I. Hadjar – +87.247s
9. C. Sainz – +1 lap
10. F. Colapinto – +1 lap

China 2025:
1. O. Piastri – 1:30:55.026
2. L. Norris – +9.748s
3. G. Russell – +11.097s
4. M. Verstappen – +16.656s
5. E. Ocon – +49.969s
6. K. Antonelli – +53.748s
7. A. Albon – +56.321s
8. O. Bearman – +61.303s
9. L. Stroll – +70.204s
10. C. Sainz – +76.387

The relevant point of comparison should be Shanghai 2014, or generously Shanghai 2017 (since 2022 was cancelled).

Gaps will ALWAYS be exaggerated early on in a regulation cycle. I'd argue the field spread is actually surprisingly small given that they implemented new, hard to utilize engines and an entirely new aero package all at once.

Also frankly I don't get the hate towards overtake mode. It's no more powerful than DRS was, but it creates the ability to overtake in more places and in more ways. It was the one part of the regulations pretty much everyone liked when it was first presented, and it feels like people are hating on it just becuase it is associated with the overall 2026 regs.