The most powerful naturally-aspirated #F1 engine ever was... Japanese, likely 🇯🇵
Peak power reached in 2005 (end of 3000cc, 'V10' era)!
Renault ~900hp
Cosworth 915hp
Mercedes ~930hp
Ferrari 920-940hp
Honda >965hp (Last power step in Suzuka)
Toyota >1000hp, detuned to ~960hp for reliability
The straight-line acceleration of these cars was insane, much higher than the current ones' (and did so 20 years ago)!
Compared to current cars:
- Similar peak power
- Higher end-of-straight power (No ERS, always full power)
- 200kg lighter (600kg, including driver!)
- 20cm narrower track, reducing drag
Crazy!
Peak power reached in 2005 (end of 3000cc, 'V10' era)!
Renault ~900hp
Cosworth 915hp
Mercedes ~930hp
Ferrari 920-940hp
Honda >965hp (Last power step in Suzuka)
Toyota >1000hp, detuned to ~960hp for reliability
The straight-line acceleration of these cars was insane, much higher than the current ones' (and did so 20 years ago)!
Compared to current cars:
- Similar peak power
- Higher end-of-straight power (No ERS, always full power)
- 200kg lighter (600kg, including driver!)
- 20cm narrower track, reducing drag
Crazy!
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The most powerful F1 engine ever?
The tiny 1500cc 4-cylinder 1986 BMW M12: over 1400hp in qualifying!🔥
Power is estimated: no dyno could accurately measure over 1000hp!💡
The Benetton reached 352km/h in Monza, with much worse drag (and grip) than current cars!
Mind-blowing! 😳
The inline-4 layout of the BMW engine gave it a clear advantage over the V6 engines used by Ferrari and Renault:
1 fewer turbo, 2 fewer cylinders, 8 fewer valves
➡️lower frictional losses
➡️more power and better reliability.
The tiny 1500cc 4-cylinder 1986 BMW M12: over 1400hp in qualifying!🔥
Power is estimated: no dyno could accurately measure over 1000hp!💡
The Benetton reached 352km/h in Monza, with much worse drag (and grip) than current cars!
Mind-blowing! 😳
The inline-4 layout of the BMW engine gave it a clear advantage over the V6 engines used by Ferrari and Renault:
1 fewer turbo, 2 fewer cylinders, 8 fewer valves
➡️lower frictional losses
➡️more power and better reliability.
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📊 MIAMI GP - SPRINT QUALIFYING| SESSION OVERVIEW
Key F1 SPRINT QUALI notes:
• 🟥 LEC quickest in S1, ⬛️ ANT in S2, ⬛️ RUS in S3.
• 🟧 McL (NOR) got pole with no purple sectors!
• The slowest F1 car (🟩 Aston) was slower than the SLOWEST F2 (Shields)!
• 🟥 LEC missed power on SQ3 (-6km/h vs SQ2, 0.3s lost vs others!)
• Start of 4-teams title fight? 👀
Aero Performance
Best Sector Gap:
Mercedes and RBR struggled in S1, Ferrari in S2 and S3 (but much less so).
NOR vs ANT Telemetry:
Notice McL's much stronger deployment before T1 and after T3, which, however, limited their power on the two main straights!
McL, Ferrari, and Mercedes set the best sectors, so they have the most potential!
Ferrari performed worse than they could have, while NOR took the most out of that opportunity!
Red Bull looked better than in any other session this year, probably: excellent top speed and straightline performance, yet no evident chassis-side issues!
All-around improved car, if this trend gets confirmed.
Key F1 SPRINT QUALI notes:
• 🟥 LEC quickest in S1, ⬛️ ANT in S2, ⬛️ RUS in S3.
• 🟧 McL (NOR) got pole with no purple sectors!
• The slowest F1 car (🟩 Aston) was slower than the SLOWEST F2 (Shields)!
• 🟥 LEC missed power on SQ3 (-6km/h vs SQ2, 0.3s lost vs others!)
• Start of 4-teams title fight? 👀
Aero Performance
Best Sector Gap:
Mercedes and RBR struggled in S1, Ferrari in S2 and S3 (but much less so).
NOR vs ANT Telemetry:
Notice McL's much stronger deployment before T1 and after T3, which, however, limited their power on the two main straights!
McL, Ferrari, and Mercedes set the best sectors, so they have the most potential!
Ferrari performed worse than they could have, while NOR took the most out of that opportunity!
Red Bull looked better than in any other session this year, probably: excellent top speed and straightline performance, yet no evident chassis-side issues!
All-around improved car, if this trend gets confirmed.
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📊 MIAMI GP - SPRINT | SPRINT PACE
“The break was so long we got back to last year’s Miami Sprint!”
The updated 🟧 McLaren returned to race-winning pace, while 🟦 RBR is in the mix again.
🟩 Mercedes' pace was only the THIRD quickest (and RUS was no quicker than VER).
🟥 Ferrari can be optimistic!
Pace:
1) McL 0.00
2) Ferrari +0.24
3) Merc +0.35
4) RBR +0.52
5) Alpine +1.39
6) Williams (M/M) +2.14
7) Audi +2.30
8) Haas +2.68
9) RBs +2.79
10) Aston +3.55
11) Cadillac (H) +3.72
What's YOUR prediction for the F1 race? 👀
“The break was so long we got back to last year’s Miami Sprint!”
The updated 🟧 McLaren returned to race-winning pace, while 🟦 RBR is in the mix again.
🟩 Mercedes' pace was only the THIRD quickest (and RUS was no quicker than VER).
🟥 Ferrari can be optimistic!
Pace:
1) McL 0.00
2) Ferrari +0.24
3) Merc +0.35
4) RBR +0.52
5) Alpine +1.39
6) Williams (M/M) +2.14
7) Audi +2.30
8) Haas +2.68
9) RBs +2.79
10) Aston +3.55
11) Cadillac (H) +3.72
What's YOUR prediction for the F1 race? 👀
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📊 MIAMI GP - RACE | RACE PACE
BEST PACE: ANT, NOR →
Race decided by ANT's 1-lap earlier pit and clean overtake, not by differences in pace.
FAST PACE: PIA, LEC →
LEC almost matched PIA before the issue (analysis coming tomorrow)!
SLOWER: RUS, HAM, VER →
HAM had extensive bodywork damage.
VER did 51 laps on a Hard set!!
RUS had no excuses, while ANT carried the team!
BEST PACE: ANT, NOR →
Race decided by ANT's 1-lap earlier pit and clean overtake, not by differences in pace.
FAST PACE: PIA, LEC →
LEC almost matched PIA before the issue (analysis coming tomorrow)!
SLOWER: RUS, HAM, VER →
HAM had extensive bodywork damage.
VER did 51 laps on a Hard set!!
RUS had no excuses, while ANT carried the team!
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MACARENA WING ANALYSIS F1
Its effect on top speed is likely small, and it didn't fix Ferrari's straight-line deficit (they need a more powerful engine for that).
🟦 RedBull's and 🟥 Ferrari's top speed gap in Miami was no smaller than in the previous GPs: differences in aero setup and deployment strategy likely matter more than the new wing.
Two additional notes:
• 🟧 McL deployed very little energy at high speed in Japan;
• HAM's top speed in Miami was 6 km/h lower than LEC's: partly explained by his bodywork damage?
Top Speeds calculated as the 90th percentile when the car was >1s behind the car ahead (to remove slipstream/overtake mode effects).
Made via @JMP_software
Its effect on top speed is likely small, and it didn't fix Ferrari's straight-line deficit (they need a more powerful engine for that).
🟦 RedBull's and 🟥 Ferrari's top speed gap in Miami was no smaller than in the previous GPs: differences in aero setup and deployment strategy likely matter more than the new wing.
Two additional notes:
• 🟧 McL deployed very little energy at high speed in Japan;
• HAM's top speed in Miami was 6 km/h lower than LEC's: partly explained by his bodywork damage?
Top Speeds calculated as the 90th percentile when the car was >1s behind the car ahead (to remove slipstream/overtake mode effects).
Made via @JMP_software
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Want to work in Motorsport?
My tips:
- Graduate (master’s is preferred) in an engineering field of your interest (or even physics).
- Get a solid grasp of basics (Physics, calculus, programming).
- While in Uni, do join your local Formula Student/SAE team!
Best books:
1) Vehicle dynamics: ‘The science of vehicle dynamics’ (Guiggiani).
2) Data analysis for Motorsport: ‘Advanced techniques for racecar data acquisition’ (Segers).
- Don’t be afraid to start from the lower racing leagues in case you get rejected by top teams and series!
My tips:
- Graduate (master’s is preferred) in an engineering field of your interest (or even physics).
- Get a solid grasp of basics (Physics, calculus, programming).
- While in Uni, do join your local Formula Student/SAE team!
Best books:
1) Vehicle dynamics: ‘The science of vehicle dynamics’ (Guiggiani).
2) Data analysis for Motorsport: ‘Advanced techniques for racecar data acquisition’ (Segers).
- Don’t be afraid to start from the lower racing leagues in case you get rejected by top teams and series!
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NEW PU RULES FOR 2027
Big (and welcome) Power Unit regulation change for next year: teams have agreed to raise the ⛽️ Internal Combustion Engine power by ~50kW, with an equal reduction in 🔋 Electric peak power! 🤩
This will:
✅ Improve straight-line performance (same peak power, more average power), top speeds, and laptimes;
✅ Limit straight-end clipping substantially;
✅ Make driving more natural;
✅ Hopefully, remove power management in fast corners.
ICE/ERS Power balance: 53/47% → 60/40%!
Top speeds will increase (Current ICE alone allows reaching ~350km/h; more powerful ICE should allow
350*(450/400)^1/3 = ~364km/h).
Thus, teams will be able to run more loaded wings, improving braking, cornering, and traction.
Viz made via @JMP_software
Big (and welcome) Power Unit regulation change for next year: teams have agreed to raise the ⛽️ Internal Combustion Engine power by ~50kW, with an equal reduction in 🔋 Electric peak power! 🤩
This will:
✅ Improve straight-line performance (same peak power, more average power), top speeds, and laptimes;
✅ Limit straight-end clipping substantially;
✅ Make driving more natural;
✅ Hopefully, remove power management in fast corners.
ICE/ERS Power balance: 53/47% → 60/40%!
Top speeds will increase (Current ICE alone allows reaching ~350km/h; more powerful ICE should allow
350*(450/400)^1/3 = ~364km/h).
Thus, teams will be able to run more loaded wings, improving braking, cornering, and traction.
Viz made via @JMP_software
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Formula Data Analysis
NEW PU RULES FOR 2027 Big (and welcome) Power Unit regulation change for next year: teams have agreed to raise the ⛽️ Internal Combustion Engine power by ~50kW, with an equal reduction in 🔋 Electric peak power! 🤩 This will: ✅ Improve straight-line performance…
A few weeks ago, I suggested a 10-20% ICE power increase to mitigate clipping substantially while not needing a total engine redesign. The FIA opted for +12.5%, right inside my range! 👌
This might shake up the pecking order too: a risk for the best PUs (Mercedes, RBPT)!
This might shake up the pecking order too: a risk for the best PUs (Mercedes, RBPT)!
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2026 CAR REGULATIONS: The 352 km/h "Invisible Wall"
Have you noticed? 🤔
Compared to last year, F1 race top speeds often approach 350 km/h but rarely exceed it: welcome to the '352 km/h Invisible Wall'! 👀
Overtake mode allows full 350 kW ERS deployment up to 337 km/h.
Above that, power drops sharply, down to 0 kW at 352 km/h.
Beyond that, only the ICE is working, with just ~550 hp!
• Up to 337 km/h: High acceleration, thanks to active aero and ~1000 hp.
• 337 → 352 km/h: acceleration drops massively, as drag power grows cubically with speed while power falls linearly.
• Above 352 km/h: ICE-only, not enough to accelerate!
Top speeds in Monza won't be much higher than 350km/h,
but Monza-like top speeds will be reached in many other tracks! 💡
Have you noticed? 🤔
Compared to last year, F1 race top speeds often approach 350 km/h but rarely exceed it: welcome to the '352 km/h Invisible Wall'! 👀
Overtake mode allows full 350 kW ERS deployment up to 337 km/h.
Above that, power drops sharply, down to 0 kW at 352 km/h.
Beyond that, only the ICE is working, with just ~550 hp!
• Up to 337 km/h: High acceleration, thanks to active aero and ~1000 hp.
• 337 → 352 km/h: acceleration drops massively, as drag power grows cubically with speed while power falls linearly.
• Above 352 km/h: ICE-only, not enough to accelerate!
Top speeds in Monza won't be much higher than 350km/h,
but Monza-like top speeds will be reached in many other tracks! 💡
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What if 2026 F1 Cars Had a V10 Engine?
Colapinto hit 352 km/h in the Chinese GP... on ICE power alone (~580 hp), since ERS deployment must drop linearly to 0 kW at exactly 352 km/h!
What if he'd had a V10 Mercedes engine? 🤔
The 2005 McL-Mercedes hit 'just' 340 km/h in China under slipstream despite ~930 hp, but 2026 cars have FAR less drag thanks to active aero.
With the same slipstream and a long enough straight, a V10-powered 2026 car could have reached ~410 km/h!
352 km/h × (930 hp / 580 hp)^(1/3) = 411 km/h
[Drag POWER scales with the CUBE of speed.]
If F1 moves to ~3000cc N/A engines for 2030, active aero will likely be dropped — otherwise top speeds would become crazy!
Colapinto hit 352 km/h in the Chinese GP... on ICE power alone (~580 hp), since ERS deployment must drop linearly to 0 kW at exactly 352 km/h!
What if he'd had a V10 Mercedes engine? 🤔
The 2005 McL-Mercedes hit 'just' 340 km/h in China under slipstream despite ~930 hp, but 2026 cars have FAR less drag thanks to active aero.
With the same slipstream and a long enough straight, a V10-powered 2026 car could have reached ~410 km/h!
352 km/h × (930 hp / 580 hp)^(1/3) = 411 km/h
[Drag POWER scales with the CUBE of speed.]
If F1 moves to ~3000cc N/A engines for 2030, active aero will likely be dropped — otherwise top speeds would become crazy!
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🇨🇦 CANADIAN GP | TYRES & TRACK PREVIEW
• Sprint weekend;
• Softest compounds (C3–C5);
• Braking grip & stability critical, traction very important, cornering secondary;
• High track evolution;
• Cooler than usual: graining could be an issue!
Engine power matters more here than at any track so far: Ferrari will struggle!
📸 @pirellisport
• Sprint weekend;
• Softest compounds (C3–C5);
• Braking grip & stability critical, traction very important, cornering secondary;
• High track evolution;
• Cooler than usual: graining could be an issue!
Engine power matters more here than at any track so far: Ferrari will struggle!
📸 @pirellisport
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2026 Car Regulations | No More Diverse Rear Wings?
In 2026, track layout dictates electric deployment strategy far more than wing design (unfortunately for us wing-nerds)! 💡
Canada used to demand a careful balance between low drag (long straights) and downforce (especially rear, for corner exit speed and tyre life). But as Tim Goss (Racing Bulls' CTO) explained, active aero gives you both: high downforce through the lap, low drag when needed.
A standard wing works almost everywhere! A 'default' deployment strategy, instead, will not. 🪫
Tim Goss' interview:
https://racingnews365.com/racing-bulls-key-signing-set-for-debut-as-fresh-f1-challenge-revealed
In 2026, track layout dictates electric deployment strategy far more than wing design (unfortunately for us wing-nerds)! 💡
Canada used to demand a careful balance between low drag (long straights) and downforce (especially rear, for corner exit speed and tyre life). But as Tim Goss (Racing Bulls' CTO) explained, active aero gives you both: high downforce through the lap, low drag when needed.
A standard wing works almost everywhere! A 'default' deployment strategy, instead, will not. 🪫
Tim Goss' interview:
https://racingnews365.com/racing-bulls-key-signing-set-for-debut-as-fresh-f1-challenge-revealed
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📊 CANADIAN GP - SPRINT QUALIFYING | QUALIFYING ANALYSIS
We know who was quickest... but WHY? 👀
🟩 RUS: Secured Sprint Pole aided by the highest top speed (333 km/h). Mercedes was actually SLOWEST in the fastest chicane!
Mercedes’ updates seem to have worked greatly, with significant gains throughout the laps. Let’s see whether this gets confirmed in the next sessions!
🟧 NOR: Couldn't stay full-throttle as consistently as others. Strong deployment, but had to save energy on the main straight.
🟥 HAM: Quickest in the fastest corner (+4km/h vs RUS; possibly the best downforce)! Great grip, but lacked power → Was often full throttle, and emptied battery on lap end (11km/h lost 🪫)!
🟦 VER: >0.5s away from pole; only clear weakness was traction.
We know who was quickest... but WHY? 👀
🟩 RUS: Secured Sprint Pole aided by the highest top speed (333 km/h). Mercedes was actually SLOWEST in the fastest chicane!
Mercedes’ updates seem to have worked greatly, with significant gains throughout the laps. Let’s see whether this gets confirmed in the next sessions!
🟧 NOR: Couldn't stay full-throttle as consistently as others. Strong deployment, but had to save energy on the main straight.
🟥 HAM: Quickest in the fastest corner (+4km/h vs RUS; possibly the best downforce)! Great grip, but lacked power → Was often full throttle, and emptied battery on lap end (11km/h lost 🪫)!
🟦 VER: >0.5s away from pole; only clear weakness was traction.
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📊 CANADIAN GP - SPRINT | TOP SPEED PER LAP
NEW 2026 TOP SPEED RECORD: HUL reached 357 km/h! 😲
To put in perspective how crazy that is: the rules forbid electrical deployment well before that speed! This means that he reached 357km/h... using the ~550hp of Audi's ICE! 🪫
He broke the 'invisible wall'!
NEW 2026 TOP SPEED RECORD: HUL reached 357 km/h! 😲
To put in perspective how crazy that is: the rules forbid electrical deployment well before that speed! This means that he reached 357km/h... using the ~550hp of Audi's ICE! 🪫
He broke the 'invisible wall'!
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Formula Data Analysis
📊 CANADIAN GP - SPRINT | TOP SPEED PER LAP NEW 2026 TOP SPEED RECORD: HUL reached 357 km/h! 😲 To put in perspective how crazy that is: the rules forbid electrical deployment well before that speed! This means that he reached 357km/h... using the ~550hp of…
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Formula Data Analysis
2026 CAR REGULATIONS: The 352 km/h "Invisible Wall"
Have you noticed? 🤔
Compared to last year, F1 race top speeds often approach 350 km/h but rarely exceed it: welcome to the '352 km/h Invisible Wall'! 👀
Overtake mode allows full 350 kW ERS deployment…
Have you noticed? 🤔
Compared to last year, F1 race top speeds often approach 350 km/h but rarely exceed it: welcome to the '352 km/h Invisible Wall'! 👀
Overtake mode allows full 350 kW ERS deployment…
📊 CANADIAN GP - SPRINT | SPRINT PACE ANALYSIS
NOR and the two Mercedes were on a league of their own!
PIA and the two Ferrari had good pace, but no chance of winning (0.3-0.4s/lap off NOR)!
VER was clearly the slowest among those in front: 0.17s/lap slower than HAM, 0.57s/lap off NOR!
✅ Best of the rest: Alpine
❌ Worst: Aston (STR lost over THREE SECONDS per lap!)
What's your take on the RUS/ANT clash?
NOR and the two Mercedes were on a league of their own!
PIA and the two Ferrari had good pace, but no chance of winning (0.3-0.4s/lap off NOR)!
VER was clearly the slowest among those in front: 0.17s/lap slower than HAM, 0.57s/lap off NOR!
✅ Best of the rest: Alpine
❌ Worst: Aston (STR lost over THREE SECONDS per lap!)
What's your take on the RUS/ANT clash?
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