Lando Norris Claims 2026 Power Units ‘Hurt the Soul’ as Energy Constraints Decimate High-Speed Performance at Suzuka

Lando Norris slams 2026 F1 power units, citing massive speed drops and energy harvesting issues that compromise the driving experience at the Japanese GP.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 28, 2026, 11:25 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from PlanetF1

The Erosion of High-Speed Racing Dynamics

The transition to Formula 1’s 2026 power unit regulations has sparked significant backlash from the grid’s top drivers, with Lando Norris being the latest to voice his displeasure. Following a challenging qualifying session at Suzuka, the McLaren pilot remarked that it "hurts the soul" to witness the car bleeding substantial speed throughout the lap. The current engine formula, which relies heavily on electrical deployment, has forced drivers to compromise their pace through iconic high-speed sections to ensure they have enough energy to defend on the straights. This shift has fundamentally altered the tactile experience of driving one of the world’s most demanding circuits.

Compromising the Legend of Suzuka

Suzuka’s layout, famous for its lack of heavy braking zones, has uniquely exposed the technical shortcomings of the new energy-starved power units. Without traditional opportunities to regenerate power, drivers are forced to lift during the high-speed "S" Curves and the Degner corners. Norris noted that seeing speeds drop by as much as 60 kph on the straights is a jarring departure from previous years. The 130R corner, once a definitive test of driver bravery, has seen its challenge reduced as cars run out of deployable energy long before reaching the apex, leading to a "sedate" pace in sections that previously required maximum commitment.

Regulatory Tweaks Fail to Mask Deficiencies

In an attempt to normalize driving techniques, the FIA lowered the maximum harvestable energy from 9 MJ to 8 MJ ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix. The governing body hoped that a lower target would be easier to reach through natural driving rather than forced harvesting maneuvers. However, the change proved insufficient, as cars continued to experience "clipping" on the long run from Spoon Curve to the Casio Triangle. While Kimi Antonelli’s pole position time was only 1.8 seconds slower than the 2025 benchmark, Norris emphasized that the frustration stems from how the lap is achieved rather than the final number on the clock.