Formula 1 drivers will have their top speed potential pegged back at the Monaco Grand Prix because of energy deployment restrictions imposed for the street track.
The tight and twisty layout of the Monte Carlo circuit will deliver a very different experience compared to other venues, where problems have been more about there not being enough energy available.
Safety Concerns Prompt Engine Mode Change
Monaco is at the other extreme – with the short straights, heavy braking zones and slow speed corners being the perfect stomping ground for the current generation of cars.
There should be few problems in harvesting energy, which means there will be plenty of power on tap and without long straights to drain the battery.
However, this characteristic has triggered a different type of headache, with the potential for maximum power deployment leading to safety concerns because it can make the cars too quick for the layout.
Higher top speeds means cars arrive at corner entries much faster.
To further help minimise the risk of trouble, the FIA is mandating for Monaco the use of a different engine mode setting that limits maximum power deployment on the straights.
The engine map known as ‘Rev 1’ means that maximum deployment of the MGU-K has to start tapering off from its 350kW cap at 200km/h.
This is much lower than the standard mode setting – known as ‘Base’ – which begins restricting maximum deployment from 290km/h.
The ‘Rev 1’ setting for Monaco means that the cars will not be allowed to run any battery deployment once they are up to 300km/h.
With overtake mode still in play for Monaco, that engine mode sees the reduction rate reduced less aggressively – with the offset ending up with drivers who have it activated to having 150kW at 300km/h.
It then tapers off more dramatically to be at zero deployment by 310km/h.
Monaco’s Short Power Limited Distance
The restrictions that are being imposed for Monaco come with the venue having the shortest power limited distance of the season.
These are areas of the track where mandatory power-reduction rates have to be used by drivers.
Monaco’s power limited distance is 1388 metres.
- Spa (4594m)
- Monza (4218m)
Driver’s Anticipation
While the extra power restrictions because of the ‘Rev 1’ mode means cars will not be running at maximum potential on the straights, the expectation is still that the venue will show off the 2026 regulations at their best.
Drivers anticipate that, after the annoyances over end of straight speed drops off and extreme harvesting tactics needed so far this year, Monaco could be one of those places where things are as natural as they were in the past.
Haas driver Ollie Bearman said: “Maybe they’ll be a bit more fun to drive! That could be nice.
This is one of the factors that prompted the FIA decision not to have any straight mode activation zones.