Formula 1 shifted focus to the Chinese GP this Tuesday (10/03/2026), but the day’s news on F1MANIA.NET showed that the paddock is still trying to understand various effects of the new technical era. Between discussions about engines, concern about the calendar, and market movements, the category enters the second stage of the season with more questions than answers. 
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One of the most relevant topics of the day was the possibility of changes to the energy management rules as early as the next races. Nikolas Tombazis stated that the FIA has options to deal with the criticism that arose after Melbourne, but the teams’ position was to keep the current rules for the first races and re-evaluate the scenario after the Chinese GP. Toto Wolff also reinforced that, if it is necessary to adjust something to improve the spectacle, Formula 1 has the flexibility to act during the season. 
This discussion is not limited just to the battery. According to another publication on the site, FIA and teams agree that the new engines still need adjustments, although there is no consensus on what exactly should change. The debate also involves the internal combustion engine, and four or five possibilities are already being considered, with no guarantee that any changes will arrive in time for the Japanese GP. 
At Aston Martin, the scenario remains delicate. The team is still expected to face problems with the Honda power unit at the Chinese GP, as anti-vibration measures are only expected to be fully ready for Suzuka at the end of March. After a complicated weekend in Australia, with Lance Stroll out of qualifying and retirements for Fernando Alonso and Stroll himself in the race, the outlook for Shanghai remains far from ideal. 
Ferrari, for its part, arrives in China with a technical novelty that promises to draw attention. The team will use for the first time in a race the so-called “Macarena” rear wing, seen experimentally in the pre-season in Bahrain. The part rotates completely on its axis to change the angle of attack and recreate an effect similar to DRS, having gone through debates and final FIA approval before its introduction in Shanghai. 
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Among the Brazilians, Gabriel Bortoleto adopted a cautious tone, despite the encouraging start in Australia. After starting tenth, finishing ninth, and scoring two points in the opening round, the Audi driver described the start of 2026 as “very encouraging,” but stressed that there is still much to learn about the car. For China, he sees similarities between Shanghai and the challenges encountered in Bahrain and is betting on the lessons from the pre-season to try to get ahead in the only free practice session of the Sprint weekend. 
Off the track, the day also brought a potentially significant development for the future of the category. BYD is considering entering motorsport and sees Formula 1 as one of the strategic options to expand its global presence. The Chinese manufacturer has not yet made a final decision and could either create a team from scratch or buy an existing structure, although the estimated cost of a season, around US$ 500 million, appears as one of the main obstacles. If it moves forward, the brand could become the first Chinese team in F1 history. 
Finally, geopolitical tension continues to pressure the championship. The holding of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian GPs in April remains uncertain due to the crisis in the Middle East, aggravated by attacks and flight disruptions in the region. Formula 1 is still monitoring the situation before making a final decision, but is already working with the possibility of canceling both rounds and maintaining the 2026 calendar with 22 races, with no replacements in April. 
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