Stella warns of ‘energy starvation’ chaos in Belgian GP

Formula 1's newest technical headache is set to take centre stage at Spa-Francorchamps this weekend, and McLaren team principal Andrea Stella believes the Belgian Grand Prix could expose the strengths – and weaknesses – of every team on the grid.

With Formula 1's 2026 power unit regulations placing a far greater emphasis on electrical energy deployment, Spa's demanding layout threatens to become one of the season's biggest strategic minefields.

Limited opportunities to recharge the battery, combined with the circuit's long flat-out sections, mean drivers will be walking a fine line between attacking and leaving themselves powerless when it matters most.

The challenge revolves around "energy starvation", according to Stella – the scenario where drivers exhaust their available electrical deployment too early in the lap, leaving them vulnerable on Spa's lengthy run from Stavelot to the start-finish straight.

Stella expects Spa to test every team

Speaking ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix weekend, Stella admitted Spa presents many of the same issues seen at Silverstone, where managing battery deployment became a critical factor throughout the race.

"Spa will be an interesting track and similar to Silverstone, a heavily-energy starved circuit," the Italian said.

While Silverstone ultimately delivered close racing, Stella acknowledged the new regulations have also introduced concerns from inside the cockpit.

"At Silverstone, the preoccupation we had to start with in terms in lacking energy was somewhat mitigated, and we had good racing, even if the drivers still raise flags in terms of how unpredictable the speed difference is.

"This is a point we should listen to because when the drivers talk like that, they do it for a reason, so I think we should take away this element of concern."

The Ardennes venue is expected to amplify those issues. With only a handful of major braking zones available to harvest energy across its 7.004-kilometre lap, teams will have precious few opportunities to recharge before another flat-out blast.

"It may be similar in Spa; the straights are longer at Spa, and there will be some challenges in terms of power unit exploitation."

Straight-line speed won't tell the whole story

Complicating matters further is Formula 1's new "straight-line mode," which cannot simply be used whenever drivers are at full throttle. High-speed corners that generate significant lateral loads restrict where the system can be activated, adding another strategic layer to an already complex equation.

Stella explained that simply finding a straight is no guarantee drivers will be able to unleash maximum electrical power.

"It will be about energy deployment, and in some areas, you will not be able to deploy straight mode, because even though they are full throttle areas, there is some lateral force, so we will not be allowed - and there will be challenges in terms of opening [the wings] and grounding, for instance,” the McLaren chief explained.

That complexity could also influence aerodynamic choices, with teams facing fresh decisions over whether to revisit the low-drag setups that once defined trips to Spa.

"We will see if some teams actually bring low drag packages like we used to see in Spa, and we will see the interpretation of these regulations, because with the straight mode now, you are less incentivised to use a smaller wing,” Stella continued.

"In the past, you would come here with a smaller wing, but teams did not do this, so it is interesting to see if it happens at Spa."

• Read also: McLaren set for Mercedes engine upgrade at Spa and rear-wing trial

Despite the technical headaches, Stella believes the balancing act could ultimately produce one major upside for Formula 1 fans.

"I think we will see quite exciting racing when it comes to overtaking because of the deployment for the same reason of energy starvation at Silverstone,” he concluded.

If Stella's prediction proves accurate, Spa's famous high-speed layout may become the perfect stage for a new kind of Formula 1 chess match – one where managing energy could be every bit as important as outright pace.

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