Jul.4 (GMM) Carlos Sainz expects Formula 1’s controversial 2026 regulations to produce more “yo-yo” racing at Silverstone despite the FIA making another late adjustment to the energy rules.
Drivers including Max Verstappen, Fernando Alonso and Charles Leclerc have all complained this week that the current regulations have robbed classic circuits such as Silverstone of much of their challenge and thrill.
Sainz believes the British GP could nevertheless be entertaining.
“It will probably be one of the most entertaining circuits, in my opinion, but for the wrong reasons,” he said.
“It’s because we’re so short on energy and we’ll have to play the ‘I’ll use up my energy here, but then you overtake me again’ game.
“I think this weekend you’ll see a bit of ‘yo-yo’ racing again, which is pretty much what it is.”
According to Auto Motor und Sport, the FIA responded to growing concerns by making another late change to Silverstone’s energy management rules.
After already reducing energy recovery limits before Miami, the governing body has now lowered the qualifying charging limit again for Silverstone, from 7.5 to 6.5 megajoules, in an effort to reduce excessive lift-and-coast driving and ‘superclipping’.
However, the German publication said the changes are unlikely to alter laptimes significantly and amount to little more than “a drop in the ocean”.
