"The main problem is a phenomenon known as turbo-lag, which manifests itself as delayed acceleration when the driver hits the throttle. Turbo-lag exists because turbocharged engines need to produce enough exhaust gas pressure to spin the turbo before it can deliver the power advantage of compressed air to the engine."
"Under the last set of turbo-hybrid regulations, the complex Motor Generator Unit-Heat (MGU-H) held the answer. The MGU-H was a remarkable part of the hybrid system that not only generated electricity from the spinning turbo, but could also be used as an electric motor to spin the turbo in lieu of exhaust gas pressure."
"Early practice starts during testing were so bad that McLaren team principal Andrea Stella raised safety concerns over the possibility of collisions as some cars fail to leave their grid spots while others make perfect getaways. That has already led to tweaks to F1's start procedure to give all drivers more time to prepare on the grid."
Formula 1's new 2026 power unit regulations have created unexpected challenges for grid starts by removing the MGU-H (Motor Generator Unit-Heat) technology. This elimination has exacerbated turbo-lag, a phenomenon where turbocharged engines experience delayed acceleration because the turbo requires sufficient exhaust gas pressure before delivering compressed air power. During testing, the problem was severe enough that McLaren raised safety concerns about cars failing to leave their grid spots while others achieved perfect getaways. The FIA has already adjusted start procedures to provide drivers more preparation time. While some drivers like Max Verstappen have downplayed safety worries, suggesting pit lane starts as an option, the regulation change still promises significant grid position shuffling when races begin.
Read at ESPN.com
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