With the 2026 cars running with a 50:50 split between electrical power and internal combustion, the sport's new energy rules have come under fierce scrutiny, most notably from the likes of Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, and Max Verstappen, who called the F1 2026 "Formula E on steroids."

There is also a consensus in the paddock that the 'harvest-rich' circuit in Bahrain, where the teams completed winter testing, has somewhat masked issues that could crop up at higher speed circuits such as Melbourne.

Speaking to media, including GPblog, Antonelli said he was doing a lot of sim work in preparation for F1's 2026 season-opener at Albert Park, and explained that the complex new energy rules were a key reason why.

During winter testing, Antonelli said: "It's mainly to get the deployment right, because Melbourne is going to be a lot different from what we've experienced [in Bahrain].

"And for the battery, it's going to be quite a bit of a shock in Melbourne. We just need to find the best deployment.

The Mercedes youngster further explained the heightened importance of simulation work prior to the Australian Grand Prix, with only three one-hour practice sessions prior to qualifying in Melbourne, instead of the six full days of testing the teams had in Bahrain.

“We had six days of testing [in Bahrain], so plenty of time to tune it and to find the best way.

"But in Melbourne we only have three practice sessions and then into qualifying. So just need to really be spot on from the first session."

Red Bull's Max Verstappen also expects a shock in 2026, but for slightly different reasons. The four-time world champion may have his issues with the new rules, but has nonetheless expressed excitement over the possibilities for new teams to challenge at the top.