Now that we are entering the meat and potatoes of the 2026 Formula 1 racing season, the time has come for a bunch of reactionary shifts based on what we have seen so far.
Analysts are adjusting their end-of-year predictions with a bunch of tangible results in the rear view. F1 teams are also recalibrating expectations based on their drivers’ places in the standings. As a result, you will see all the big-name Formula 1 betting sites futzing and fiddling with odds to win individual races, as well as the FIA Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship.
Oh, and for all the gamers out there, you are being treated to a massive update on the EA F1 Series game.
While this midseason refreshes are hardly unheard of, the latest one is considered unique. It takes into account a lot of roster changes, of course. But it also provides players with a more authentic experience behind the wheel—which is, in turn, leading to some revelations over recent changes to real-life F1 systems.
The F1 Series Update Really Goes into the Weeds
Among the many tweaks as part of the latest update, EA Sports has included updated systems that noticeably impact the handle, sensitivity and overall behavior of each car. The changes are not unlike the real-life introductions made on the circuit. As Nick Golding explains for RN 365, the new update makes for a complex and more difficult gaming experience:
“EA has also introduced new systems aimed at replicating the strategic complexity of the 2026 regulations, including enhanced energy management mechanics, revised ERS deployment models and the controversial ‘super-clipping’ behaviour that has defined real-world discussions around the new generation of cars. The handling model has also been adjusted to better reflect the increased reliance on electrical deployment and lift-and-coast techniques.
“While it has its teething problems, perhaps the greatest being MADRING track limits—or lack thereof—the 2026 update feels like a blessing in disguise. As of yet, I have failed to complete a lap of the MADRING without a wall being struck! There is no hiding from the fact that the new power unit regulations are insanely complicated for teams, drivers, the media and, most importantly, the fans.”
For those unfamiliar with “super-clipping,” it is essentially an energy management technology. While its processes are convoluted, the gist of it is that the car’s engine will redistribute power from the rear wheels to the system that charges the battery when it’s reaching depletion. This culminates in a precipitous drop in top speed and has caused quite a stir on the circuit.
Fans and analysts have complained about the viewing experience, oftentimes without necessarily calling out super-clipping in the process. However, the meteoric drops in speed have resulted in choppier driving from pretty much every F1 team.
Fans are Getting an Authentic Taste of the Realities Facing F1 Drivers
As cited above, Golding believes this update is a “blessing in disguise.” We applaud him for having such an open mind—and high tolerance for frustration.
Many gamers are not and will not be thrilled with the update. They play F1 games as a smooth-sailing entertainment with less-complex challenges. Implementing more elaborate, which is to say authentic, driver controls is bound to cause some irritation.
At the same time, perhaps it is necessary. If nothing else, it is certainly valuable. True Formula 1 sickos, who bask in the intricacies of the sports, will appreciate the firsthand operational knowledge. For those who don’t, perhaps it will give them a greater respect for what the drivers are attempting to juggle at greater spins, facing hairpin turns and enveloped by much stiffer competition.
If the reaction to this update mirrors the real-world response, we can expect a diverse catalog of sentiments. Some have applauded how much super-clipping can help them around corners, since it automatically triggers deceleration. Others have lamented the lack of an override for drivers who may not want to use it.
To the latter point, F1 video-gamers will run into the same problem. According to multiple reviews of the update, it doesn’t sound like there’s a setting that will allow you to turn off the “lift and coast” mode.
Personally, while we understand any annoyance over the updates, we respect EA sports electing to introduce the most realistic possible gaming controls. Never mind the empathy it might create for the drivers, which rest assured, is important. The update backs up the premise that fans can learn more about the sport through interactive play.
This is a pretty big deal when it comes to F1 specifically. This is not football, baseball, basketball, hockey, tennis, golf, etc. Unless you have a billionaire’s connection, you can’t race F1 cars recreationally. That barrier for entry doesn’t exist in many other sports. So, in many ways, the latest F1 Series update isn’t just another video-game refresh. It is a necessary introduction that could, should and almost assuredly will lead to a better understanding of the sport at a grander scale.