Mansell Criticizes F1 2026 Overtakes as False

1992 Formula 1 world champion Nigel Mansell has criticized the sport's new 2026 regulations after three races, describing many overtakes as "totally false" due to computer-controlled energy deployment in the 50-50 hybrid power units rather than pure driver skill.

Mansell, speaking to Autosport, pointed to instances where a car surges ahead using battery power, only for the passed driver to reclaim the position moments later when their own deployment activates. "Some of the overtakes look great and then you come out the next corner, and then the car just blasts past you and the other car goes backwards because the computer is giving you the extra power not at the right time, and the driver doesn't control that obviously because he wouldn't have employed it," he said.

The complaints echo concerns from current drivers. Reigning champion Lando Norris said after the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka that he was forced into an unwanted pass on Lewis Hamilton in a high-speed section, as his McLaren entered deployment mode despite his reluctance. "I didn't want to overtake him going into the first corner and into the chicane, but I had no choice," Norris recounted, with Hamilton retaking...