The worst part of what F1 2026 has done to Suzuka

Key Points:

• Formula 1’s new energy charging limits at the Japanese Grand Prix have eased some issues but still cause significant speed drops on Suzuka’s longest straights, especially through the 130R corner and final chicane, where speeds fall by up to 50km/h before braking.
• Drivers, including Lewis Hamilton and Ollie Bearman, acknowledge that the enforced coasting due to energy constraints diminishes the driving challenge and enjoyment, particularly at high-speed corners that have become power-limited rather than grip-limited.
• The reduction from a 9MJ to an 8MJ recharge limit has helped control excessive superclipping and energy saving, but drivers like Carlos Sainz and George Russell believe further adjustments are necessary to reduce speed loss and improve lap quality.
• Key sections such as the Degners and Spoon Curves have been designated as ‘zero kilowatt zones’ by the FIA, requiring teams to cut electric power completely, which limits engine performance to about half and reduces the typical visual and driving intensity of these corners.
• While the current situation is not disastrous, drivers and experts agree that the power and performance limitations at Suzuka under the 2026 regulations need improvement to restore the track’s traditional challenge and excitement.