"Being involved from the very start in the development of such a different car has been a particularly fascinating challenge, working closely with the engineers to help define a clear direction for it. It will be an extremely important year from a technical perspective, with the driver playing a central role in energy management, understanding the new systems and contributing to the car's development."
"The scale and complexity of what the teams are building, including entirely new engines split 50-50 between combustion and electrical energy and the use of active aerodynamics, was made strikingly clear on Friday when Williams, who finished fifth in the championship last season, announced they were not ready to take part in the first test in Barcelona, beginning on Monday."
"Williams said they would instead run a virtual test-track programme next week and expect to make the second test in Bahrain but it is an inauspicious start to what will be likely be a frenetic championship. Indeed, the Ferrari team principal, Fred Vasseur, emphasised that he expected the new cars to be developed at a furious rate as the season progresses and also highlighted how the drivers would have to adapt extensively to driving them."
Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari began on-track work with the SF-26 as Formula One moves into a major regulation reset for 2026. Hamilton contributed to development and warned the season represents possibly the biggest regulation change of his career, with drivers central to energy management and learning new systems. Teams must integrate complex new elements, including 50-50 combustion and electrical engines and active aerodynamics. Williams announced they could not attend the first Barcelona test and will run virtual programmes before targeting Bahrain, while Ferrari expects furious in-season development and extensive driver adaptation to the new cars.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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