In the 2026 season, Formula 1 faces an unprecedented challenge: teams are being forced to find unconventional solutions to comply with stricter environmental regulations while staying competitive. Williams, with Carlos Sainz as one of their drivers, has openly announced its intention to use gasoline to recharge the batteries during the race itself. This strategy has sparked heated debate among engineers and fans alike, as it raises questions about the very idea of transitioning to cleaner technologies.
Instead of the expected reduction in emissions, teams are having to sacrifice ecology for speed. The new regulations demand almost a threefold increase in electric motor power—from 120 to 350 kW. This has put immense pressure on energy recovery systems, leaving engineers with a tough choice: either risk losing pace or look for loopholes in the rules.
A technological challenge
Williams Technical Director Matt Harmann explained that drivers will now use the internal combustion engine even in the corners to replenish battery charge. This maneuver was previously seen as inefficient and even dangerous, but under the new circumstances, it is becoming almost the only way to stay in the fight for a podium finish.
As a result, the roar of engines will return to the tracks where electric silence once reigned. This not only transforms the acoustic landscape of the races but also forces drivers to rethink their usual strategies. Shifting to lower gears—unusual for modern cars—becomes part of race tactics, all in order to extract the maximum from the hybrid power unit.
New driving habits
Drivers are being forced to adapt to unfamiliar conditions. Now, to maximize energy recuperation, they must use lower gears even in sections where this would previously have seemed unthinkable. In some cases, using first gear at high speeds is now possible—a radical step not seen in Formula 1 in recent years.
Such a transformation demands not just technical expertise from the drivers, but also instant reactions to changing circumstances. A mistake in gear selection or timing for recharging can cost precious seconds—or even the whole race. In these conditions, experience and intuition matter more than ever.
An environmental paradox
Paradoxically, efforts to make Formula 1 ‘greener’ have led teams to burn more fuel to generate electricity. This raises questions from environmentalists and fans: do the new regulations truly help reduce harmful emissions, or are they just a slick rebranding of old methods?
At the same time, engineers note that hybrid technologies are becoming increasingly complex. Now, energy recovery is possible not only during braking, but also in corners at high revs. This opens up new horizons for motorsport development, but also increases the risks to technical reliability.
A challenge for the teams
In a fiercely competitive environment, every detail can become decisive. Williams does not rule out that their strategy will be quickly adopted by rivals. In the race for the title, no one wants to be left behind, and even the most radical solutions find their place on the track.
In 2026, Formula 1 becomes an arena not only for drivers, but also for engineers, whose decisions determine the outcome of the championship. Whether this will lead to a true ‘green revolution’ or simply intensify the technological race remains to be seen.
Williams is one of the oldest and most decorated teams in Formula 1, founded in the United Kingdom in 1977. Over decades in the championship, the team has become famous for its innovative solutions and bold strategies, repeatedly shifting the balance of power in international motorsport. In recent years, the team has actively implemented hybrid technologies, aiming not only for victory but also for leadership in the field of sustainable development. In the 2026 season, Williams once again finds itself in the spotlight thanks to its unconventional approach to the new regulations, reaffirming its reputation as an innovator and provocateur in the world of Formula 1.
