Gabriel Bortoleto refutes idea of F1 2026 cars clashing with driving styles

Formula 1 driver Gabriel Bortoleto has strongly defended the idea that drivers should be able to adapt to any machinery, refuting claims that the 2026 cars are incompatible with traditional driving styles. This year has seen a shift towards more electrical machinery, with a 47-53 split from internal combustion engines, leading to a new style of racing centered around battery management.

Terms like "superclipping" have emerged, and the Belgian Grand Prix highlighted the challenges posed by the power unit's "self-learning elements" that take control away from the driver, with Oscar Piastri expressing frustration. Bortoleto acknowledged these concerns, calling the new racing style "pretty crap," but emphasized that motorsport should not be about a single driving approach.

He argued that karters learn to go slow in and fast out, a philosophy he believes should apply to Formula 1. Bortoleto stated, "I don't think I changed much my way of driving," adding, "I don't like the sentence 'driving style' because I don't believe a Formula 1 driver should ever say that." Instead, he believes drivers should adapt to different cars and driving requirements.

Bortoleto noted that while there were adjustments needed, such as fine-tuning energy deployment, the core of the driver's approach remained consistent. He emphasized that the top drivers, like Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, and Lewis Hamilton, have remained competitive despite the new rules, dismissing claims that drivers have become less in control.