Albon Warns 2026 F1 Rules and Straight Mode Create Risky Closing-Speed Gaps

Alexander Albon, the Williams driver, said Formula 1’s 2026 regulations and systems such as Straight Mode were discussed in the drivers' briefing and are producing worrying closing-speed differences between cars.

Albon linked the closing-speed issue to active aerodynamics and differing Straight Mode and Corner Mode behaviour, citing Oliver Bearman's Suzuka crash when the Haas driver lost control at 308 km/h while approaching Franco Colapinto's Alpine, which was 45 km/h slower.

Lando Norris, a Formula 1 driver, said he cannot control unwanted battery deployment, and Albon said drivers fear a rogue car behind could trigger incidents, suggesting Straight Mode be made more stable or easier to control.

Albon added that Williams turned Suzuka into a test session after he was eliminated in Q1, running front-wing and energy-deployment tests, and Williams currently sits ninth in the constructors' championship with two points.

Read the full article at motorsport.com.

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