F1 drivers offer concerning outlook on overtaking in 2026 cars: “It doesn’t look great”

Overtaking has become a key question about the latest generation of F1 cars, as it was a core criticism of the ground effect era.

However a number of F1 drivers have signalled worrying signs that it may not be any better during this regulation cycle.

This year drivers are wrangling with one of the biggest regulation overhauls in F1 history and there are plenty of unknowns heading into the season opener in Melbourne.
 

Speaking during a press conference at pre-season testing on Wednesday Lewis Hamilton was about the outlook on being able to overtake more in the new cars.

He said: “I think we're all trying to figure out at the moment what it's going to be like in race conditions. Obviously we have the SM, we have the Overtake and the Boost. So I think people that are doing long runs, we're all trying to kind of find somebody to get behind and see what it's like behind them.

“When I was in Barcelona, I was behind someone. It didn't feel great. When I was behind someone last week, it felt okay. But I think it's going to be something we won't fully know until we're really deep in it at the first race. I don't know what the others feel. I don't know if it's going to be better. We shall see.

Max Verstappen was asked the same question but remained tight lipped about what he expects a race in the new cars to be like.

“What I think? A lot of nothing at the moment. I'll just rock up to Melbourne and see for myself. I have no idea.” 

However Audi driver Gabrial Bortoleto was more outspoken adding that while there are still plenty of unknowns, the early signs are that it could be an issue heading into the 2026 season.

He said: “I don't know too, because I haven't been fighting a lot on track, but every time when we are behind, it doesn't look great to be to be honest. It doesn't look like we can be much closer than last year, and we never know with this energy thing this year. If you maybe press it too much in the next straight, you're going to be overtaken back. So it's complicated, but we will see in Melbourne.”

Earlier Haas driver Esteban Ocon sounded pessimistic about the ability to follow cars and develop any overtaking opportunities with the current rule set.

Speaking during a private test in Barcelona the French driver said: “You seem to lose quite a lot of front load, a bit more maybe than before, but we need to see. And the Overtake [Mode], yes, I played with it.

“I don't want to give too early conclusions on how it's going to be because obviously, it needs to be adjusted, optimised, etc., for that to work in a perfect way. But so far, it looks to be difficult to pass. That's my first thought about it, but I hope it's going to get on the easier side.”