George Russell explains “quirky” F1 energy harvesting rule after Melbourne start
George Russell revealed that a little-known Formula 1 energy harvesting rule caught several teams off guard at the start of the Australian Grand Prix.
The regulation limits how much energy a car can harvest per lap, and Russell believes the rule created an unfair advantage for drivers starting further back on the grid.
How the rule works
In Formula 1, cars can recover electrical energy through braking and other systems, but there is a harvesting limit per lap.
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In Melbourne, the limit was 8 megajoules (MJ).
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The limit resets only when a driver crosses the start/finish line.
This meant drivers starting ahead of the timing line were already counted as being on the lap during the formation lap.
As a result:
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Front-row drivers used up part of their energy harvesting allowance during the formation lap.
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Drivers further back crossed the line at the start and got their limit reset immediately, effectively gaining more usable energy.
Why it affected Russell’s start
Russell started from pole position and said the rule prevented him from preparing his tyres properly.
When he accelerated during the formation lap start procedure:
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The car charged the battery, which counted toward the harvesting limit.
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About 50% of the energy limit was used before the race even began.
By the time he reached the grid:
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He couldn’t charge the battery further.
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He couldn’t perform proper tyre burnouts to warm the tyres.
This contributed to him losing position to
Charles Leclerc into Turn 1.
FIA tried to change the rule
Russell said the
Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile wanted to remove or adjust the harvesting limit during the start procedure.
However, Formula 1 rule changes require a supermajority vote from teams, which the FIA reportedly could not obtain.
Russell hinted that teams benefiting from strong race starts opposed the change.
Russell criticises teams blocking change
Russell described the resistance as “selfish views”, suggesting some teams wanted to keep the advantage.
Still, he believes the issue will now be easier to manage.
Teams now understand the rule better and can adapt their procedures ahead of the next race at the
Chinese Grand Prix.
Key takeaway:
A small technical regulation around energy harvesting unexpectedly affected the race start in Melbourne, giving drivers at the back of the grid extra battery capacity and potentially better launches.