F1's Electric Cars Fall Short at Spa-Francorchamps

The Formula 1 paddock descended upon the iconic Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium, but the high-speed thrills that fans have come to expect were noticeably absent. The 2026 F1 cars, powered by electric motors and hybrid systems, struggled to deliver on the demanding track, leaving drivers to coast through corners and sacrifice speed for battery conservation.

For most of sector two, you run just on the engine – something like 450 bhp, 500 bhp – which is, I guess, more or less what a Formula 3 car has but with F1 downforce.

The contrast between the current cars and their predecessors was stark. Spa, one of the sport's most revered venues, was once a test of bravery and skill, with drivers pushing their machines to the limit. But with the new cars' limited energy reserves, the thrill of high-speed cornering has given way to a more sedate pace. Red Bull's Max Verstappen summed up the frustration of many when he described running on the engine for most of sector two, producing a paltry 450-500 horsepower – a figure that would be laughable in a junior series.

The consequences of this design flaw are far-reaching. Fans are left disappointed, and drivers are forced to adapt their driving styles to accommodate the cars' limitations. As the 2026 season continues, it remains to be seen whether the sport's governing body will take steps to address the issue and restore the thrill of high-speed racing to the Formula 1 grid.