Power Unit
The 2026 power unit regulations represent the most significant change in Formula 1’s hybrid era, introducing a 50/50 power split between internal combustion engine (ICE) and electrical systems, mandatory 100% sustainable fuels, and the removal of the MGU-H.Revolutionary 2026 Power Unit
50/50 Power Split
350kW ICE + 350kW Electrical = Equal contribution from combustion and hybrid systems
No MGU-H
MGU-H removed for cost reduction and simplified architecture
Tripled E-Power
MGU-K output increased from 120kW to 350kW
Sustainable Fuel
100% sustainable fuel mandatory - zero net carbon footprint
Total Power Output: Approximately 700kW (950 horsepower) combined from ICE and electrical systems
Power Unit Architecture
Component Overview
The 2026 power unit consists of:1
ICE - Internal Combustion Engine
1.6L V6 turbocharged engine with advanced combustion efficiency
2
TC - Turbocharger
Single turbocharger with enhanced efficiency and no energy recovery
3
MGU-K - Motor Generator Unit (Kinetic)
350kW electrical motor on crankshaft for energy recovery and deployment
4
ES - Energy Store (Battery)
Increased capacity battery system for electrical energy storage
5
CE - Control Electronics
FIA-standardized control unit managing power unit systems
Internal Combustion Engine (ICE)
Engine Specifications
Combustion System
Fuel Injection
Injection System Specifications
Injection System Specifications
Direct Injection Requirements:
- Single fuel injector per cylinder
- Maximum injection pressure: 500 bar
- Injector location: Within defined volume in combustion chamber
- Port fuel injection: Prohibited
- Fuel rail pressure: Monitored by FIA sensor
- Multiple injections per cycle permitted
- Pre-chamber ignition: Prohibited
- Maximum 1 spark plug per cylinder
Ignition System
- Spark plugs: 1 per cylinder
- Ignition timing: Controlled by CE (Control Electronics)
- Coil-on-plug: Mandatory configuration
- Multiple spark: Prohibited during combustion phase
Engine Block and Internals
Crankshaft
Single-plane crankshaft, maximum 1 per engine allocation
Valvetrain
4 valves per cylinder, pneumatic or mechanical valve springs
Pistons
Aluminum alloy, no exotic coatings, maximum 2 sets per engine
Connecting Rods
Steel or titanium, maximum 2 sets per engine allocation
Materials
Permitted Materials:
- Engine block: Aluminum alloy or cast iron
- Crankshaft: Steel alloy
- Camshafts: Steel or cast iron
- Valves: Titanium, steel, or nickel alloys
- Cylinder head: Aluminum alloy
- Beryllium and beryllium alloys
- Metal matrix composites (MMC) in specific components
- Ceramic components (except coatings)
Turbocharger
Turbocharger Specifications
Major Change: No MGU-H means turbocharger operates conventionally without energy recovery
Boost Control
1
Wastegate
Single wastegate valve controlling exhaust bypass
2
Maximum Pressure
Absolute intake pressure limited (monitored by FIA sensor)
3
Anti-Lag Prohibited
No ignition retardation or fuel-based anti-lag systems
MGU-K (Motor Generator Unit - Kinetic)
MGU-K Specifications (2026)
Maximum Power
350kW (up from 120kW in 2025)
Unlimited Deployment
No lap energy deployment limit
Speed Range
Operational from low RPM to maximum engine speed
Torque Delivery
Seamless torque fill for turbo lag mitigation
Energy Recovery
Brake Energy Recovery:
- Maximum recovery: 8.5 MJ per lap (increased from 4 MJ)
- Recovery during braking and coasting
- Rear axle only (no front axle recovery)
MGU-K Integration
- Mounting: Directly on crankshaft between ICE and gearbox
- Cooling: Liquid cooling integrated with power unit system
- Weight: Minimum weight component (contributes to PU minimum)
- Reliability: Must last multiple events (allocation limits)
Energy Store (Battery)
Battery Specifications
Battery Chemistry:
Standardized cell specifications for cost control and safety:
- Cell type: High energy density lithium-ion
- Cell format: Cylindrical or pouch cells
- Battery Management System (BMS): Integrated with CE
Battery Management
BMS Functions
BMS Functions
The Battery Management System controls:
- Cell voltage balancing
- Temperature monitoring and thermal management
- State of charge (SOC) calculation
- Power limits to prevent cell damage
- Safety disconnect in case of fault
- Communication with Control Electronics (CE)
Control Electronics (CE)
Standardized Components
ECU
FIA-standard Electronic Control Unit (McLaren Electronic Systems)
Software
Standardized base software with limited team calibration
Sensors
FIA-mandated sensors for monitoring and compliance
Data Logging
All power unit data logged to FIA-accessible system
Control Functions
1
ICE Control
Fuel injection timing and duration, ignition timing, throttle control
2
MGU-K Control
Torque request, regeneration control, power deployment strategy
3
Monitoring
Real-time monitoring of fuel flow, power output, temperatures, pressures
4
Compliance
Enforces regulatory limits (fuel flow, power limits, energy deployment)
Fuel Specifications
100% Sustainable Fuel (2026)
Revolutionary Change:
All fuel must be 100% sustainable with zero net carbon footprint
- Advanced biofuels from biomass
- Synthetic e-fuels from captured CO₂ and renewable energy
- Drop-in compatibility with ICE (no engine modifications required)
Fuel Properties
Fuel Composition Analysis
Fuel Composition Analysis
FIA Testing:
- All fuels must be submitted for FIA approval
- Chemical composition analysis conducted
- Reference fuel sample retained by FIA
- Random testing during events to ensure compliance
- Infrared spectroscopy used for rapid checks
- Non-compliant fuel results in disqualification
Fuel Flow Limits
Exhaust System
Exhaust Specifications
- Configuration: 6 individual runners merging to single tailpipe
- Diameter: Maximum tailpipe diameter 120mm
- Length: Minimum length from turbine outlet
- Material: Typically Inconel for heat resistance
- Exits: Single exit, centered in rear crash structure
Exhaust Regulations
Prohibited:
- Exhaust-blown aerodynamics
- Variable geometry exhaust
- Ignition retardation for exhaust energy
- Secondary air injection
- Exhausts directed at aerodynamic surfaces
Lubrication System
Oil Specifications
Lubricant Requirements
Lubricant Requirements
Engine Oil:
- Viscosity grade: Typically 0W-30 or 0W-40
- Base oil: Synthetic
- Oil consumption: Monitored by FIA sensor
- Maximum oil tank capacity: 8 liters
- Exotic additives that enhance combustion
- Nanoparticle additives
- Oil as fuel (strict consumption limits)
Oil Flow Monitoring
Cooling Systems
Power Unit Cooling
Water Cooling
ICE cylinder heads, block, and MGU-K
Oil Cooling
Separate oil coolers for engine and gearbox
Battery Cooling
Liquid cooling system for energy store
Intercooler
Charge air cooling after turbocharger
Radiators
Located in sidepods with optimized airflow
Temperature Control
Electronic thermostats for optimal temps
Power Unit Allocation
Component Limits per Season
2026 Allocation:
Each driver is limited to the following power unit components per season:
Power Unit Installation
Mounting Requirements
1
Stressed Member
Power unit must be stressed member - load-bearing structure of chassis
2
Mounting Points
Minimum 4 mounting points to chassis (front) and gearbox (rear)
3
FIA Sealing
All critical components sealed by FIA to prevent modifications
4
Accessibility
Must allow FIA technical delegate access for inspection
Weight Distribution
Power Unit Minimum Weight:
Complete power unit (ICE + TC + MGU-K + ES + CE + exhaust + cooling + auxiliaries) has a minimum weight target of approximately 150kg to prevent excessive lightweighting.
Dyno Testing and Homologation
Homologation Process
1
Design Submission
Complete CAD data and specifications submitted 12 months before first event
2
FIA Review
Technical review of all components for compliance
3
Dyno Testing
Power unit tested on FIA dyno facility:
- Power output verification
- Fuel flow compliance
- Energy recovery testing
- Durability testing
4
Homologation Certificate
Upon passing all tests, power unit receives homologation certificate
Power Unit Development
Development Restrictions
Design Freeze:
- Major power unit components frozen at homologation
- Limited development tokens for changes
- Reliability improvements permitted with FIA approval
- Performance upgrades heavily restricted
Allowed Modifications
Permitted Changes During Season
Permitted Changes During Season
Reliability Modifications:
- Changes to address component failures
- Material upgrades for durability (no performance gain)
- Geometry changes to prevent failures
- Manufacturing process improvements
- Material substitutions (equal or lower cost)
- Performance-driven changes
- Combustion system modifications
- Changes solely for power increase
Power Unit Manufacturers (2026)
The following manufacturers supply power units in 2026:Ferrari
Ferrari + Haas customer team
Mercedes
Mercedes (works team)
Honda
Aston Martin (works partnership)
Red Bull Powertrains
Red Bull Racing + VCARB teams
Alpine/Renault
Alpine (works team)
Audi
Sauber (works team - joining 2026)
Performance Monitoring
FIA Sensors
Mandatory sensors monitor power unit performance:Driver Controls
Permitted Driver Adjustments
Energy Deployment
Drivers can adjust MGU-K deployment modes
Engine Mapping
Selection between predetermined engine maps
Brake Balance
Adjust front/rear brake balance and MGU-K regen
Fuel Mix
Lean/rich mixture modes for fuel saving
All driver adjustments must be made via controls on steering wheel. No automatic systems permitted.
Sustainability Impact
Carbon Footprint
2026 Goals:
- 100% sustainable fuel: Zero net carbon from fuel combustion
- Reduced fuel consumption: Higher electrical power contribution
- Recyclable battery materials: Lithium and cobalt recovery programs
- Simplified architecture: Fewer exotic materials, easier recycling
Road Relevance
Technology Transfer
Technology Transfer
Automotive Industry Applications:
- Sustainable fuel development accelerates commercial adoption
- High-efficiency combustion technology applicable to road cars
- Battery technology and energy management strategies
- Turbocharger efficiency improvements for production engines
Related Topics
Fuel Systems
Detailed fuel system specifications and sustainable fuel requirements
Electronics
Control electronics, sensors, and power unit integration
Chassis & Bodywork
Power unit installation and integration with chassis