Have your say: What did you think of the first race of F1’s new era?
The Australian Grand Prix on Sunday marked the beginning of a new era in F1 as the 2026 cars finally made their competitive debut – but how did this impact the spectacle of the race? We want to hear from you
Photo by: Steven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images
At Formula 1's season-opening Australian Grand Prix, it was immediately clear that the new cars bring with them a different dynamic. Energy management plays a greater role than before, and drivers must carefully plan their battery usage to have speed at the right moments. This opens up different strategies and battles at varying points on the track, but it also raises questions about how spectacular the race was to watch as a result.
Initial reactions in the paddock and from fans are mixed. Some see potential in the new era and expect teams and drivers to quickly learn how to better manage the systems. Others, meanwhile, feel that the greater importance of energy management makes the races artificial and detracts from pure racing.
After the first grand prix under the new rules, there are already plenty of opinions to be heard. But what did you think? Leave your thoughts in the poll below and join the discussion in the comments!
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