The paradox of the new F1: in qualifying, consistency at a reduced pace is better than going to the limit.

What we saw in the qualifying rounds Chinese Grand Prix has demonstrated once again how the Formula 1 of 2026 must necessarily be changed. Just as happened in Melbourne, even on Saturday Shanghai he saw the Mercedes Benz to excel unchallenged, with Kimi Antonelli in pole position ahead of George Russell and at two Classic Ferrari for sale di Charles Leclerc e Lewis Hamilton. This result is the result of the extraordinary efficiency of the Brackley/Brixworth power units, which managed to inflict significant gaps on all the competition on the long Chinese straight. Not even the car built in Maranello, while certainly top-notch in terms of chassis and ability to navigate the fast corners, can bridge the engine gap that becomes apparent when pure power is all that matters.

Compared to Albert Park, the phenomenon of Super Clipping It seemed less obvious, a fact that was largely expected given the different track configuration. There remains a huge "but" that can only turn up the noses of longtime racing fans, those who have been involved in racing for a long time, rather than newcomers who, unfortunately for them, only became acquainted with this sport thanks to social media and the fictional narratives created by Drive to Survive. Qualifying, the quintessential moment of truth, has once again come under fire, and the drivers themselves are no longer able to hide their discontent with the inconsistencies of this new regulatory era.

What is Super Clipping and Why Does It Affect Performance?

To fully understand the frustration rippling through the paddock, we need to explain what Super Clipping technically is, the true "ghost" of the 2026 regulation. With the introduction of new power units, where the split between thermal and electric power is practically equal (50/50), energy management has become the predominant factor. Traditional clipping occurs when the electric power stops working at the end of a straight because the battery is flat or has reached its power output limit for that lap.

Il Super Clipping This is the ultimate expression of this concept: due to software that must ration every single Joule to avoid running out of energy, the car drastically cuts power well before braking. Visually, it's as if the car were braking on the straight while the driver was still holding the accelerator. This phenomenon levels performance and prevents drivers from seeing who, with their own skill, could pull away ten meters behind their opponent.

Leclerc's nostalgia: "The limit was one of my strengths."

Charles Leclerc finished fourth in today's qualifying. The Ferrari driver, despite having maximized the package available, admitted how alienating it has become to drive these cars on a flying lap: "You have to understand these cars in qualifying. Consistency pays off. I'm not talking about perfection, because you have to be under the limit and be consistent. I'm disappointed because it was one of my strengths in the past, but I think something can change in the future."

The Monegasque's hope is the same as that of every true enthusiast: that the driver, at least in qualifying, returns to centre stage, proving decisive thanks to last-minute braking and extreme control of the vehicle. With the current regulations, however, the driver is relegated to a mere energy flow manager, even when he should be giving his all for a spot on the starting grid.

All of this inevitably impacts Sunday. These days, starting a race is much more important than grid position, as battery management allows for recoveries that have little to do with sporting performance. We saw this clearly in today's Sprint Race: a constant exchange of positions that didn't depend on overtaking talent, but simply on where the battery of the car in front decided to discharge.

Yes, the pilots have contributed, but to a much lesser extent than in the past. They are condemned by single-seaters that must be "accompanied" in every corner to avoid Super Clipping at the end of the straightThis system creates an artificial spectacle, almost programmed by simulation software. It's an approach that the FIA ​​and Formula 1 must necessarily reconsider if they want to restore any shred of competitive credibility to this category.

We can't focus solely on the show while ignoring the soul of the competition. Is it possible that the Circus's top brass doesn't realize that making drivers slaves to energy conservation devalues ​​the final product? We believe they are aware of this, and we hope that as early as Monday, once the spotlights are turned off on the Chinese Grand Prix, serious discussions will begin on how to reshuffle the deck.

We need a regulation that at least allows power to be unleashed without restrictive mathematical calculations during a flying lap. Formula 1 must return to being a place where those who take the most risks are rewarded by the stopwatch, not where the winner is the one with the most conservative battery management software.