Tom Kristensen says Formula 1's 2026 rules increasingly reward intelligent energy management.

Kristensen said drivers must manage harvesting and deployment carefully under the near-even split between combustion and electrical power. Sacrificing corner speed can preserve battery energy for the straights and produce a faster overall lap.

The regulations have prompted lift-and-coast driving, straight-line downshifts and aggressive battery recharging at circuits including Silverstone, Suzuka and Spa. The planned combustion-to-electricity balance will change to 58:42 in 2027 and 60:40 in 2028.