David Croft says Lewis Hamilton’s overtake on Charles Leclerc proves F1 isn’t all about batteries

Follow us on Google Discover

Lewis Hamilton’s Chinese Grand Prix overtakes prove that Formula 1 isn’t all about batteries in 2026, Sky Sports F1 commentator David Croft says. Hamilton was involved in thrilling battles with former teammate George Russell and current teammate Charles Leclerc.

Hamilton’s battle with Leclerc was arguably the highlight of an entertaining race on Sunday. The Monegasque had prevailed in a tense scrap during the Sprint, but the seven-time world champion hit back in the main Grand Prix.

Even after losing out, Leclerc acknowledged on the team radio that the battle was ‘fun’. The two cars exchanged positions throughout the lap, not just down the 1.2km back straight.

Lewis Hamilton proves ‘organic racing’ is still possible

Hamilton made surprise moves on both Leclerc and Russell at turn eight, slipping down the inside after building momentum through the long, sweeping turn seven. In commentary, David Coulthard praised his ‘creative’ racecraft.

Speaking on the F1 Show, Croft said these overtakes proved ‘organic racing’ was still possible in 2026. Max Verstappen has compared F1 to Mario Kart given the perceived artificiality of the overtakes.

In Croft’s opinion, the sport must provide viewers with more graphics so they understand the driver’s role in pulling off the passes. Right now, it may seem like it’s all about the battery, but there’s a clear element of strategy.

“There are some passes that are not battery-assisted, that are not all about the boost or the overtake mode,” Croft explained. “Lewis Hamilton, twice during the course of the Grand Prix weekend, made a pass at turn eight.

“That’s not just using his battery. That’s a place where you don’t normally get an overtake. My feeling is that a lot of what we’re seeing is organic racing, and the drivers are using the tools that they have at their disposal, but they’re not always battery-assisted.

“There is a bit of a thought out there that everything is happening because of the battery, but that’s not always the case. We do need to see more graphic displays so that we can all understand it at the start of these regulations.”

Fernando Alonso has called 2026 F1 ‘a battery world championship’

Speaking after Sunday’s race, Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso said the sport had become a ‘battery world championship’ after the opening lap. In his eyes, the lead car is powerless to defend if the car behind has more charge at its disposal.

“On lap one it’s true that we all have the same level of battery, which is full,” Alonso said, via ESPN. “Then we enter in this battery world championship and in that we are not as good as the others.”

Would Max Verstappen be complaining about F1’s 2026 regulations if he had joined Mercedes?

Comment

Like or Comment

Have your say Sign-in now for free

Perhaps it’s no surprise that the Mercedes and Ferrari drivers, who currently make up the top four in the championship, have been the most positive about the new rules, with the possible exception of Charles Leclerc.

On the flip side, Toto Wolff has suggested that Verstappen’s well-known discontent is rooted in the problems with his Red Bull car, rather than the formula as a whole.