Significant changes are on the horizon for Formula 1 in 2026. New regulations will bring about drastic alterations to both the powertrain and the chassis. The sport will also bid farewell to the DRS system, in favor of a new Manual Override Mode – drivers in pursuit will have access to an additional electric boost. Fernando Alonso and George Russell speculate on what this means for overtaking maneuvers in the lead-up to the São Paulo Grand Prix.
Fernando Alonso expressed some skepticism about the overtaking possibilities in 2026. Speaking to Spanish outlet Grada3, he shared his views on the Manual Override Mode system and the next generation of Formula 1 cars. “I don’t think the cars in 2026 will be completely different,” he began. “The car and the sport essentially remain the same. It’s still a race against the clock and against your rivals – perhaps with slightly less grip, as we will have less downforce in the future.”
“The only uncertainty for me is how overtaking will be handled in the future,” Alonso continued. “In my opinion, that’s still a big question mark. When I’m in the simulator and reading the rules, it seems like everyone will be able to use a sort of DRS on the straights. This leaves little chance to make a difference, unless you consume a lot of battery on the straight. But if you use that energy, you run the risk of paying the price on the next straight and being overtaken again.” Alonso is already thinking about possible strategies: “Perhaps you’d rather let that overtaking opportunity pass, as it costs time for both parties. But that’s just an idea. Until we’ve actually driven on the track, it’s hard to make predictions.”
New Overtaking Moves in 2026
Colleague George Russell also doesn’t know what to expect from the new overtaking system, but trusts that the new, more agile cars will provide extra spectacle – possibly by creating new overtaking opportunities. “I think there will be more overtaking in 2026, even in unexpected places,” he told Autosport. “Perhaps even in places where we’ve never seen an overtaking move. If a driver’s battery is almost empty and the driver behind has more power, he can suddenly strike in places you would never expect.”
“As for the override mode itself, I’m not sure what I think of it yet,” he continued cautiously. “In the past, we’ve said that we don’t want to see DRS overtakes only. That’s why I think the 2026 regulations will at least deliver better races.”
