SUPER CLIPPING: WHAT IT MEANS FOR LEWIS AND THE FUTURE OF FORMULA 1
We’ve already heard new phrases like Overtake Mode, increased hybrid deployment, and now — “super clipping.” Some of it sounds simple. Some of it sounds like engineering code language. But if you care about F1, and especially if you care about Lewis and his chances in this new era, you need to understand what this means.
Because in F1 2026, power management is not just technical detail. It’s race-defining.
A New Hybrid Era In F1 2026
Under the new F1 2026 regulations, Formula 1 is dramatically increasing its reliance on hybrid power. In the previous generation, hybrid systems contributed roughly 20 percent of the total power output. From 2026 onwards, that figure jumps to 50 percent. That is enormous.
Each car will now produce roughly 350kW from the internal combustion engine (ICE) and another 350kW from the hybrid system. That balance fundamentally changes how F1 cars accelerate, defend, attack, and manage races.
The battery can now store up to 9MJ of energy per lap. Most of that energy is harvested under braking. Drivers slow into corners, kinetic energy is captured, and the battery recharges.
From the outside, fans don’t see any of this. It’s invisible. But what happens when a circuit doesn’t provide enough heavy braking zones to recharge the system efficiently? That’s where super clipping enters the conversation.
What Is Super Clipping In F1 2026?
In simple terms, super clipping happens when the hybrid system starts harvesting energy even while the driver is at full throttle. Yes — full throttle.
Instead of only harvesting energy under braking, the hybrid system can siphon power directly from the internal combustion engine to recharge the battery. That harvested power does not go to the rear wheels. It goes into the battery.
Under the 2026 regulations, the hybrid system can use up to 250kW to recharge the battery. When this happens at peak harvest, the ICE is left delivering roughly 135bhp to the rear wheels. That is a massive drop in power compared to full output.
The result? The car can actually lose top speed on a straight. Drivers may even need to downshift despite having their foot flat on the throttle. That’s super clipping. And in Formula 1, where every fraction of a second matters, that loss of speed could change everything.
Why Super Clipping Could Change Racing
If a driver ahead suddenly loses speed because the hybrid system begins harvesting aggressively, the car behind might not anticipate it. That opens the door to unexpected closing speeds. It could create new overtaking opportunities — or worse, unexpected contact between cars.
This isn’t speculation. It’s already a concern within the paddock. As McLaren team principal Andrea Stella explained:
“The super clip is when the electrical engine starts to harvest, even if the driver is full throttle,” he said in Bahrain.
That statement alone shows how radical this shift is. In previous F1 engine regulations, something similar existed called “d-rate.”
Super Clipping Vs D-Rate: What’s The Difference?
Under the previous Formula 1 engine rules, the hybrid system contributed 120kW — about 160bhp — while the internal combustion engine produced over 700bhp. When a car ran out of electrical energy, the MGU-K simply stopped contributing power. That was called a d-rate. The car accelerated slower, but the ICE still delivered its full output.
In F1 2026, it’s different.
Now the hybrid system doesn’t just stop contributing. It can actively pull power away from the ICE to recharge the battery. That means the car doesn’t just accelerate more slowly — it can actually slow down even with the driver flat on the throttle. That is a completely different dynamic.
And for a driver like Lewis, who is historically aggressive under braking and razor sharp in race management, this adds a fascinating strategic layer.
Lift And Coast: The Current Countermeasure
One way drivers can manage this is by lifting and coasting into corners. By easing off the throttle earlier before braking, drivers allow more time for energy recovery. This helps recharge the battery more naturally and can reduce the need for aggressive super clipping later on.
But there’s a limit.
The current regulations cap recovery at 250kW. That ceiling may still create situations where super clipping becomes unavoidable, particularly at circuits that do not feature heavy braking zones.
Circuits like Albert Park in Melbourne, Suzuka in Japan, and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia are considered “harvest poor.” They do not offer many hard braking events to recharge the battery efficiently. That means super clipping could become a major factor at those venues.
And if Lewis is fighting at the front in F1 2026, these energy management nuances could define championship momentum.
McLaren’s Proposed Solution
Interestingly, this is not an issue the FIA is ignoring. On the final day of testing in Bahrain, McLaren experimented with a potential solution. Instead of limiting recovery to 250kW, they increased it to 350kW. Andrea Stella reported positive results from that test.
By raising the recovery ceiling, drivers would not need to lift and coast excessively. The battery could recharge more effectively under braking alone, reducing the likelihood of super clipping on straights. That sounds simple.
Technically, it is a relatively minor adjustment. McLaren proved that in Bahrain.
But Formula 1 governance is never that straightforward.
How F1 Could Change The Rules
Any regulation adjustment must go through the F1 Commission. If it reaches the required majority, it is then sent to the FIA World Motor Sport Council for ratification. That process can move quickly if there is consensus — but it is still not immediate.
Right now, the governing bodies want more real-world racing data before making changes. Testing can only reveal so much. Once cars race wheel-to-wheel under pressure, the true impact of super clipping will become clearer.
If it proves disruptive or unsafe, the regulations can be amended. Until then, super clipping remains a defining feature of F1 2026.
What This Means For Lewis In F1 2026
For Lewis, this new era is about adaptation. Throughout his Formula 1 career, Lewis has thrived in regulation shifts. From the V8 era to the turbo-hybrid revolution in 2014, Lewis adapted faster than most. His ability to manage tyres, fuel, energy deployment, and braking techniques has always been elite.
Super clipping introduces another layer of complexity. Drivers must think about energy harvesting not just under braking, but also on full-throttle sections. They must anticipate when power might drop. They must defend knowing their car could lose speed mid-straight.
Racecraft will evolve. And Lewis, as one of the most intelligent drivers on the grid, is well equipped for this challenge.
If Ferrari provide him with a competitive car under the 2026 regulations, Lewis could use this hybrid-heavy era to his advantage. Energy management, smooth inputs, braking precision — these are strengths that have defined his Formula 1 legacy.
The Bigger Picture For Formula 1
F1 2026 is about sustainability, innovation, and maintaining performance while evolving the sport’s technical identity. Increasing hybrid reliance to 50 percent signals a long-term direction for Formula 1. It aligns with automotive trends while keeping the spectacle alive.
But it also introduces complexity. Super clipping may sound like an obscure technical term. In reality, it could influence overtakes, defensive moves, straight-line speed, and even championship battles.
We are entering a Formula 1 era where the driver who understands energy flow best may have a decisive advantage.
Final Thoughts
Super clipping is not just jargon. It is a direct consequence of Formula 1’s bold shift toward heavier hybrid power in 2026. It happens when the hybrid system harvests energy at full throttle, siphoning power from the ICE and reducing speed on straights. It differs from the old d-rate system because it actively removes power rather than simply ceasing deployment.
The FIA is monitoring it. McLaren has tested solutions. The F1 Commission may yet adjust the regulations. But for now, super clipping is part of the F1 2026 landscape.
And for Lewis, that means mastering yet another technical evolution in Formula 1. If history has taught us anything, it’s this: when the regulations change, Lewis adapts.
And when Lewis adapts, championships follow. 🏁
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