The Race F1 Podcast Is Verstappen right about F1 2026? Hill and Herbert's verdict
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Mar 1, 2026 Damon Hill and Johnny Herbert debate whether the 2026 rules have changed the soul of F1, focusing on regen, lift-and-coast and driver control. They unpack the new 50/50 hybrid power unit, larger batteries and how electronics and software shape performance. The pair preview Melbourne, assess testing form, and weigh which drivers and teams might adapt fastest to the technical and tactical shifts.
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Power Units Turn Driving Into Energy Management
- F1 2026 shifts the performance balance toward electrical systems, changing driving from pure throttle/brake skill to energy management tasks.
- Damon Hill explains the power unit is roughly 50% electric and 50% ICE, so battery sizing and regen dramatically alter cornering and acceleration behaviour.
Prepare Drivers For Higher Cognitive Load
- Train drivers to absorb high telemetry load and act on tactical radio prompts because mental capacity will determine who can juggle energy, regen and racecraft.
- Johnny Herbert says veteran drivers like Max, Fernando and Lewis have the spare mental capacity to handle the added complexity.
Prioritise Inverter And Software Over Raw Hardware
- Focus software and electronics development because inverter and torque-control software will decide usable performance.
- Johnny Herbert warns the inverter is the 'brain' that manages regen, torque control and battery charging, so it’s the key advantage.