FIA confirms high energy limits alongside power restrictions for Monaco Grand Prix – RaceFans

The FIA has confirmed the details of the unusual power restrictions which will be imposed on Formula 1 cars in Monaco this weekend.

The street circuit is the shortest and slowest track on the calendar. In an attempt to optimise F1’s new power units for the course, the power unit restrictions are unlike those seen at any track so far this year.

Drivers will be given the maximum opportunity to recharge their batteries only the lap. The maximum 9MJ recharge will apply in all circumstances except in the race where a driver is not able to use ‘Overtake Mode’. In those situations drivers will be limited to 8.5MJ per lap.

However the rate at which they can deploy their energy will be reduced at a much lower level than at other circuits. The reduction in electrical power deployment will begin to scale down from 350kW at 200kph instead of the usual 290kph.

The rate of reduction will not be as steep for drivers who have Overtake Mode enabled. For those who do not, their MGU-K power at 290kph will be less than 50kW; at other tracks this year they would still have the full 350kW available at this speed.

Power restrictions at F1 circuits in 2026

Albert Park
Shanghai
Suzuka
Miami
Montreal
Monaco

Maximum recharge per lap

Race – Without Overtake mode
8MJ
8.5MJ
8.5MJ
8.5MJ
8MJ
8.5MJ

Race – With Overtake mode
8.5MJ
9MJ
9MJ
9MJ
8.5MJ
9MJ

Qualifying
7MJ
9MJ
8MJ
8MJ
6MJ
9MJ

Free practice
8.5MJ
9MJ
9MJ
9MJ
8.5MJ
9MJ

Out laps (except in races)
8.5MJ
9MJ
9MJ
9MJ
8.5MJ
9MJ

Track details

Track length
5.278km
5.451km
5.807km
5.412km
4.361km
3.337km

Power limited distance
3.518km
3.125km
3.472km
3.346km
2.682km
1.388km

Maximum power reduction rate
50kW/s
100kW/s
100kW/s
100kW/s
100kW/s
100kW/s

Overtake mode detection gap
1s
1s
1s
1s
1s
1s

Areas where reduction can exceed 150kW
T11-13
T7-9, T11-12
T3-T6, T8-T8, T13-T14
T4-T8, T11-T16 (T17-T19*)
T5-T6, (T13-T14 exit*)
Exit T19

This article will be updated

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Keith Collantine

Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 – when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring journalist, Keith began running the site full-time in 2010, achieving a long-held ambition to dedicate his full attention to his passion for motor racing.
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