The FIA ​​is playing for the first wildcard: minimum energy in qualifying and first sector at 200 kW

In Canada the FIA ​​is playing the first wild card, reducing the energy recoverable in qualifying by 25%. The intervention will reduce the charging phases outside of braking, even if the new limit will only apply to the flying lap. During the race, however, a reduction in electric power is expected for almost the entire first sector, with the aim of preserving the battery for the straights at the end of the lap. The areas where the use of the electrical part will be optional, however, are reduced to the bare minimum. Only 6 MJ in qualifying On paper, the circuit named after Gilles Villeneuve should not be particularly critical in terms of battery management. In fact, Brembo’s simulations predict a brake use time of 19%, compared to 11% in Miami, which testifies to the presence of several braking sections where it is possible to recover energy. Furthermore, the total of the power limited sections, i.e. those that can be tackled with full throttle, is just 2682 metres, the lowest value since the start of the championship, half a kilometer less than the 3185 meters of Shanghai, the closest circuit in this respect. Despite this, the FIA ​​is concerned that teams may implement invasive charging strategies on the straights. This is because the braking is mainly concentrated in the first half of the lap, while the electric energy is mainly used for the extensions of the third sector. The Federation has therefore imposed a limit of 6 MJ on the energy recoverable in qualifying, 25% less compared to Miami, as well as compared to the 8 MJ that will be allowed in Canada for the two races. The FIA ​​is playing the first of the 12 seasonal wildcards, which allow it to limit the charging in qualifying to under the 8 MJ normally imposed by the regulations. First sector with reduced power. The approach for the two races will be different, for which it will be possible to recharge up to 8 MJ. For these scenarios, the Federation preferred to find a way to limit battery consumption in the first sector, preserving it for the final straights. The change to the regulations approved before Miami is useful in this, which contemplates the possibility of reducing the electric power from 350 to 200 kW during the race in the sections to be tackled with closed wings. In Canada, this limit will be applied to the stretch between curve 1 and curve 6, corresponding to almost the entire first sector. Finally, the only area where it will not be mandatory to use the electric motor is the one between turns 5 and 6, which is why drivers will have to be careful not to play too much with the accelerator when exiting corners so as not to drain the battery more than necessary. Click here to add Formula Passion as your favorite source on Google Discover: you will find our content more easily!

Automobile Magazine – F1 English News , 2026-05-22 17:53:00