2026 F1 Power Unit Regulations Finalized

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 This week, the FIA has ratified the 2026 power unit regulations.  These new regulations serve two main purposes, the first of which is improving sustainability and the second reducing costs.  Following the ratification of these regulations, we now know the means by which the FIA intends to meet these targets.

The current power units are 1.6 liter turbocharged V6s with two hybrid components.  The first of the hybrid components is the MGU-K which is an electric motor that sits alongside the engine block and is connected by a gear to the crankshaft.  The MGU-K recovers heat generated from braking.  This energy is then stored in the battery and available for deployment. When energized, torque is directly applied from the MGU-K for immediate and significant acceleration.  

The other hybrid component is the MGU-H.  This is a small electric motor that sits on the shaft between the compressor and impeller of the turbocharger.  Heat from turbocharger operation is recovered by the MGU-H and stored as energy in the battery.  The MGU-H is then able to deploy torque directly to the shaft of the turbocharger, allowing the turbocharger to spool faster than it would if it relied solely on exhaust pressure.  This eliminates turbo lag and is a major contributor to excellent efficiency of the current power units.

The two hybrid components will undergo significant change under the 2026 regulations, while the internal combustion engine will remain a 1.6 turbo v6.  The MGU-H will be eliminated entirely.  Though it is an extremely impressive component, the MGU-H is very expensive to engineer and its removal is intended to reduce the cost of PU development for new manufacturers.  A side effect of the MGU-H removal will likely be the return of a degree of turbo lag and more expressive sounding cars.  Both of these side effects should improve the spectacle of F1.

The MGU-K is being relocated from alongside the engine block to directly in front of the crankshaft, enveloped within the crash structure and battery containment cell.  To compensate for the loss of the MGU-H, the MGU-K will become more powerful for the 2026 regulations.  Currently the MGU-K produces roughly 160 horsepower, the new unit will produce nearly 470.  Battery capacity will increase and energy recovered from braking heat will also increase for rapid recharging. 

F1 has pledged to be carbon neutral and these new regulations are a significant part of that equation. For this year, F1 is using fuel that is comprised of 10% ethanol created from non-food biomass. The fuel for the next generation of power units will be a fully synthetic fuel that emits no fossil based carbon when combusted.  This fuel will be created with non-food biomass and carbon captured from the atmosphere.

Increasing electric output and investing in truly sustainable, carbon neutral fuels ensure that F1 remains as relevant as possible for manufacturers and remains the forefront of innovation.  Lessons learned from these new power units will directly influence the cars we all drive in the future.  Electric cars will no doubt dominate the marketplace, but there are applications were their excessive weight and limited range simply do not make sense.  The battery technology in F1 is among the most advanced on the planet, vastly superior to that of Formula E.  Further development of these components will undoubtably reduce weight and increase range for our street cars.  The investment in sustainable fuels will ensure that enthusiasts will in the near future have the option of guilt free motoring in ICE cars.

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