Drivers expect lower top speeds at Monza under 2026 F1 rules
Ahead of the Italian Grand Prix, Formula 1 drivers and teams are discussing how Monza may run very differently under the 2026 regulations. Reports indicate top speeds could be significantly lower than usual, with concerns focused on battery deployment and energy limits on the circuit’s long straights.
Monza is traditionally known as Formula 1’s "Temple of Speed", but several outlets reported that this year’s Italian Grand Prix could look very different. Discussion in the paddock has centred on how the racing will unfold under the 2026 rules and how much slower the cars may be at one of the calendar’s fastest tracks.
According to RaceFans, drivers expect to be up to 30kph slower at the fastest points of the lap and to use one gear lower than usual. McLaren driver Oscar Piastri also said his car’s top speed in Hungary was higher than at Monza, underlining how unusual the situation could be for the high-speed circuit.
The reports link those expectations to the 2026 power unit regulations, with Monza’s 5.5km layout and long straights seen as a difficult match for energy-limited systems. Autosport and Motorsport.com both noted that high-speed venues have had a problematic relationship with the current energy constraints, making battery usage and low-battery running a major theme for the weekend.
Sources (6)
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