The Race F1 Podcast What testing tells us about how F1 racing will change in 2026
30 snips
Feb 5, 2026 Nelson Valkenburg, Dutch F1 commentator for Viaplay Netherlands, brings broadcaster perspective and explains how to present the new 2026 rules. Short takes on Barcelona testing, energy-harvesting complexities, which driver styles may win out, sim training advantages, turbo/tyre concerns, Williams’ delayed start and Aston Martin development timing.
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A Digital Turbo-Lag Challenge
- The new challenge resembles early turbo days: drivers must learn to pre-empt power needs.
- Nelson and others compare digital harvesting to spooling turbo-era techniques.
Prioritise Driver-Engineer Dialogue
- Ask engineers what they need from drivers to maximize performance and focus early testing on that.
- Nelson says that will shape the first half of the season's pecking order.
Outlaps Become Tactical
- Outlaps and qualifying will gain an extra dimension from battery management and could look unusual.
- Drivers must hit precise energy states on outlaps, making pre-lap routine more stressful.