Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli has predicted \u2018the biggest element\u2019 of the new regulations will be how teams deploy electrical power with an increased reliance on the battery.<\/p>\n
For the first time in F1 history, powering the car will be a 50-50 split between the ICE and the battery. That change has resulted in new problems for teams to solve.<\/p>\n
Kimi Antonelli states battery power biggest change in 2026<\/p>\n
The 2026 F1 car will come reequipped with a 1.6-litre V6 turbo hybrid and a 350 kW battery, three times the electrical power of its predecessor.<\/p>\n
For that reason, how teams manage the battery in particular during a race will be a key factor of the upcoming season. Mercedes driver Antonelli believes it will be the \u201cbiggest element\u201d of the regulation changes.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the biggest element will be on the power unit side and obviously with the battery,\u201d he said. \u201cI think that\u2019s why, with the team, it\u2019s going to be, especially with HPP [Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains], it\u2019s going to be very important to really maximise the software, the deployment for each track, because that can really make a difference.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I talk about deployment, I mean race and qualifying as well. So being able to have the right deployment and a consistent deployment every lap and every run you make can really make the difference.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause with this new regulation, there is such a big change that it\u2019s even on the software side, it\u2019s going to be a whole different thing.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo it\u2019s going to be really important, as I said before, with the team, trying to work out what\u2019s the best deployment. Even having different deployments, that gives you a bit of room during the race if you want to try something different.\u201d<\/p>\n
More on Mercedes from PlanetF1.com<\/p>\n
*\u00a0George Russell eyes head-to-head title fight with Max Verstappen in 2026<\/a>
*\u00a0George Russell warns \u2018standout\u2019 Aston Martin could be a threat in 2026<\/a>
*\u00a0Brundle outlines how he would counter McLaren as Mercedes boss<\/a><\/p>\n