F1 drivers expected to play 'chess at high speed' in with 2026 cars

Kimi Antonelli thinks drivers will play chess at high speed with the new generation of Formula 1 cars.

Entering the 2026 F1 season, the regulation change poses a new set of challenges for the drivers. According to the Italian, young drivers could have the upper hand in adapting quickly thanks to their experience of switching cars frequently in recent years.

Speaking to a select group of media, including GPblog, he explained: "We've been used to try and adapt as quickly as possible to a new car. On that side, it's good that we have a new car this year because it's a reset for everyone. And especially for us that we've been used to every new year to a new car, it's good because we've been used to that.

"Maybe it will help us out to understand the car a bit quicker than others. But of course, the other drivers are not stupid and they're pretty good. So I think they will figure it out very quickly as well."

Photo: Race Pictures

F1 turns into chess

With the new battery deployment, Antonelli assumes creativity will play a big role this season.

He continued: "The way you have to use your energy while fighting with others, also that is a very big step and I think this year you have to come into the season very open-minded and in some way you need to be very creative as well.

"Because you can play so much with the energy, especially when fighting other people. It's like playing chess, but like kind of a split chess, you don’t have much time to think ahead of every move. You always have to try and be two steps ahead of the others," the Italian concluded.

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