The fourth race of the season, but it feels like the first
After more than a month of talk, it’s finally time to get serious again. Formula 1 resumes the 2026 season this weekend with the highly anticipated Miami GP. The Florida race, besides all the glamour surrounding it, is eagerly awaited by fans because it will represent a sort of second season opener given all the technical regulation adjustments introduced by FIA and F1 after the numerous discussions and controversies following the first three rounds.
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A challenge for Ferrari
Carlo Bussi, head of power unit performance at Ferrari, presenting the first American trip of the season gave a summary of all the elements that have been modified by the federation’s intervention: “Starting from Miami – explained the Ferrari engineer – the total electric energy available in qualifying has been reduced and the power of the automatic recharge on the straight increased, thus reducing the need for drivers to lift off the throttle before braking. At the same time, the preparation procedure for the timed lap has been simplified and the hybrid system behavior made more flexible and predictable. Regarding the start, it has been made possible to use the MGU-K electric motor already at low speed for cars struggling in the acceleration phase, thus reducing safety risks. Finally, safety during overtaking has been strengthened through a reduction in electric power and flexibility in energy management in track areas where a large speed difference can be dangerous, such as blind corners or short straights with high lateral acceleration.”
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Besides being the first actual on-track test of these novelties, the American race will also be interesting for the challenges it presents in terms of energy management of these new power units: “From the PU point of view and in relation to the 2026 regulations, the circuit can be considered moderately demanding both for recharge difficulty and the importance of electric energy – commented Bussi – The potentially most critical aspect concerns the sequence from turn 7 to turn 17: the length of the two straights allows the battery to be fully discharged and offers overtaking opportunities, while the series of slow corners connecting them is particularly demanding both for battery recharge and turbo management. The high temperatures and humidity typical of May also make Miami a challenging track for cooling. The layout is particularly demanding for the turbocharger, which from this year can no longer benefit from the electric assistance provided by the MGU-H“. We will see starting Friday what the performance of the SF-26 will be
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