Andrea Stella warns F1 overtakes could look “strange” under 2026 rules. McLaren team principal Andrea Stella explains why F1 overtakes in 2026 could appear strange.

The 2026 power units introduce new variables in Formula 1, and Andrea Stella has already warned that overtakes could look “strange” or even “too easy”. With the regulations set to change, the on-track spectacle will change as well, and the McLaren team principal has highlighted how the new power units will directly influence overtaking in F1.

The Italian engineer has expressed concerns about the initial reaction of fans to the driving style required by the new generation of cars. According to Stella, we could witness unusual on-track battles, with overtakes that may appear overly simple at first glance, but which would in fact be the result of careful and intelligent management of the Boost Mode.

The 2026 technical revolution will also bring with it a completely new driving style. The goal of the FIA is to enhance the spectacle while trying, as much as possible, to avoid artificial racing dynamics. The controversial DRS system, first introduced in 2011, will no longer be part of Formula 1. In its place, active aerodynamics will be introduced, along with the new Overtake Mode.

This “overtake mode” allows drivers to deploy extra power when they are within one second of the car ahead. Alongside this, there will also be the Boost Mode, which is reminiscent of the old KERS system. It will allow drivers to release maximum power depending on the state of charge of the ERS and will be a key factor both when attacking and defending on track.

Stella: “At the beginning, the battles will look strange”

These systems, especially in the early races, could leave some fans puzzled. “It might look a bit strange that a car is able to overtake another one so easily,” explained Andrea Stella. A driver, for example, could find themselves with a completely depleted battery. In that situation, the chasing car would have the opportunity to attempt an overtake even in sections of the track that are not traditionally considered overtaking zones.

“It is important for spectators to understand why this can happen, or why at a certain moment one car might have a fairly well-charged battery while the car ahead has almost no energy left. From a racing point of view, we will see something that is definitely different. Using the power unit as a race and overtaking variable will be particularly important in order to communicate effectively with our audience,” Stella concluded.