Formula One drivers decry energy‑starved Spa race

The 2026 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa‑Francorchamps left drivers frustrated by new regulations that severely limited the cars’ electrical energy. Mercedes driver George Russell complained on the radio that he had "no battery" on the straight, while others such as Lewis Hamilton, Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris noted that the cars were reduced to half‑power on long straights and that corners like Pouhon felt more like Formula 3 than Formula 1. Lap times were several seconds slower than the previous year, and the computer‑controlled deployment of energy was described as an "algorithmic" constraint that neutered the cars. The drivers’ criticism reflects broader concerns that the 2026 rule changes have diminished the spectacle of racing at one of the sport’s most historic circuits and have raised questions about Spa‑Francorchamps’ future place on the calendar.