Missed Apex Formula 1 Podcast Final F1 2026 Testing Roundup
Feb 22, 2026
They unpack the final Bahrain testing stories, from lively new car behavior to concerns about regen and tyre stress. Discussions cover novel aero bits like protruding footboards and Ferrari’s rotating rear wing. Power unit hot spots, battery stress and manufacturer readiness get debated. They also tease driver reactions, start-procedure tweaks and which teams look strong or troubled.
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2026 Cars Look Lively And More Driver Dependent
- Testing shows 2026 cars look lively and follow better, bringing back sliding and driver engagement similar to early turbo eras.
- Spanners and Chris note lighter, narrower cars with more torque create exciting onboards and visible driver technique changes.
Expected Power Unit Energy Cut To Calm Regen
- FIA will likely lower electrical energy from 350kW to ~300kW to reduce extreme regen/clipping and make drivability less awkward.
- Hosts argue losing ~50kW mostly trims peak boost and yields a more usable, less spiky power delivery.
Start Procedure Change Is Political Fix For Turbo Spooling
- Teams lobbied for start-procedure changes because turbo spooling threatens inconsistent race starts; the compromise gives a five-second pre-light warning.
- Matt and Chris frame this as competitive politics disguised as safety concerns.