Lewis Hamilton has called for immediate FIA intervention regarding the 2026 Formula 1 technical regulations, specifically citing the impact of ‘clipping’ on overtaking. His comments followed the 2026 Mexican Grand Prix, where Max Verstappen secured victory.
Hamilton, driving for Ferrari, finished second, 0.799 seconds behind Verstappen. The race also saw Kimi Antonelli clinch the 2026 World Championship with a third-place finish for Mercedes.
The core of Hamilton’s concern stems from the ‘clipping’ phenomenon, a defining characteristic of the 2026 season. This occurs when the car’s battery, supplying approximately 50% of the total power, depletes before the end of a straight.
When the battery empties, the car relies solely on its internal combustion engine, resulting in a noticeable reduction in speed. A related issue, ‘super clipping’, involves the hybrid system drawing power from the ICE to recharge the battery at full throttle.
This process further reduces power to the rear wheels and causes a drop in top speed. Hamilton openly labelled the clipping as “stupid” in the post-race cooldown room.
He stated to Verstappen that Red Bull had “too much power on the straights.” Verstappen concurred, noting that clipping “really kills the overtaking into Turn 1.”
Hamilton’s race engineer, Carlo Santi, informed him on lap 64 of 71 that both overtake mode and boost were available. However, Hamilton expressed resignation, questioning how he was expected to overtake the Red Bull engine.
The 2026 power unit regulations aimed for a 50/50 split between the internal combustion engine and electrical power. This significantly increased the electrical output from the MGU-K, from 120 kW to 350 kW, while eliminating the MGU-H.
Early in the 2026 season, drivers including Lando Norris, Pierre Gasly, and Charles Leclerc voiced concerns about the difficulty of overtaking under the new regulations.
In response to these issues and safety concerns, the FIA implemented refinements in April 2026. These adjustments included increasing the peak superclip power from 250 kW to 350 kW.
The maximum permitted energy recovery was also reduced from 8 MJ to 7 MJ. These changes aimed to reduce excessive harvesting and promote more consistent flat-out driving.
Additionally, the FIA capped maximum boost power at 150 kW to mitigate dangerous closing speeds between cars. Nikolas Tombazis, the FIA’s single-seater director, acknowledged in August 2026 that the governing body had anticipated many of these problems.
However, Tombazis stated that desired changes were initially blocked due to a lack of consensus among power unit manufacturers. The nominal power split was later adjusted to 60% combustion and 40% electrical power.
The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez circuit in Mexico City is historically challenging for overtaking due to its high altitude and thin air. This environment impacts downforce and cooling, making the effects of clipping more pronounced.
The 2026 regulations introduced ‘Straight Mode’ zones, with three designated for Mexico, and ‘Overtake Mode’ replacing DRS. Straight Mode adjusts wing angles to reduce drag, while Overtake Mode provides additional electrical energy.
Despite these aids, Hamilton and Norris found it impossible to get close enough to pass due to the deployment limits at the end of the straights. Hamilton described the current engine profile as the “worst” for racing.
Red Bull Powertrains, in partnership with Ford, developed the RBPTH003 power unit for 2026, focusing on the new hybrid regulations. Ferrari’s 2026 engine, project “678”, also adheres to the 50/50 hybrid architecture.
Ferrari reportedly adopted an unconventional design, including a steel cylinder head and high thermal operating levels. The team introduced an “ADUO 2” upgrade in September 2026, enhancing energy management consistency.
Both Red Bull and Ferrari brought circuit-specific cooling upgrades to the Mexican Grand Prix to address the unique high-altitude conditions. Hamilton’s call underscores ongoing concerns about the 2026 regulations’ impact on competitive racing.
