Formula 1 teams are approaching the Belgian Grand Prix with renewed concern over how the 2026 cars will cope at Spa. As was the case before Silverstone, the main issue is energy management, with fears that the demands of the circuit could expose weaknesses in the current rules package.
While Fernando Alonso's earlier comparison to Formula 2 may have sounded extreme, the wider concern inside the paddock appears to be more than just exaggeration. McLaren and Williams are among the teams to have highlighted real questions about how the new-generation cars will perform when energy deployment becomes critical over a lap.
The discussion also underlines how quickly the picture has shifted since the opening round of the 2026 season. Several storylines in Formula 1 have changed in a short period, but uncertainty over the cars' behavior in certain conditions remains a major talking point, especially at tracks where the balance between performance and energy recovery is under pressure.
With Spa known for its demanding layout and long, fast sections, the Belgian Grand Prix has become another key test for the 2026 formula. Teams may differ on how severe the problem is, but there is growing agreement that energy management is shaping the weekend before the racing has even begun.
