Monza Practice Sparks Cautious Optimism Over 2026 F1 Powertrain Pace
Friday’s Monza practice showed the 2026 powertrain overhaul isn’t as dire as feared but is still slower than 2025 and energy deployment remains in flux. Russell led FP2 but about 2.7 seconds slower than last year’s pace, with a top speed around 336 km/h and energy recovery still limited. Ferrari looked strong in the corners but short on straight-line pace; Red Bull and Mercedes remain contenders while McLaren appears off the pace. The midfield is tight (Alpine, Haas, Williams, Audi) and strategy will hinge on track temps and energy management, with a one-stop likely if temperatures stay cool and two stops feasible if it gets hotter. Qualifying will be decisive for the running order, and Antonelli faces grid penalties while Bearman showed pace in FP2.
