Formula 1 teams are already working on the Power Units coming in 2026

The 2023 season of Formula 1 is not even half over, but manufacturers are already working on 2026. That is when the revised engine regulations, which will run until 2030, will come into effect.

It will be the biggest rule revision since the introduction of 1.6-litre V6 turbo engines in 2014. There will be more manufacturers and a move towards more sustainability.

“It is fantastic that Formula 1 will have six engine manufacturers from 2026,” said Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali. “Our global platform and growth offer brands enormous potential, and it shows that our plans to cross Switching to sustainable fuels is the right approach.”

According to the regulations, current V6 engines use completely renewable fuels, producing more electrical power, while removing the complicated MGU-H, a component of the power unit that generates more energy. A cost ceiling also applies to engine manufacturers.

The manufacturers of the engines for 2026 are Mercedes, Ferrari, Alpine, Audi, Honda and a partnership between Red Bull and Ford, which has brought Ford back into Formula 1 for the first time since 2004 when it owned the Jaguar Racing team. brings back. Red Bull’s existing partner, Honda, will supply Aston Martin and Audi will supply the team now called Sauber, which may change its name after Audi takes a majority stake in the company in 2026.

It will be the first power source to be developed by Red Bull Powertrains.

“We have become a customer,” said Christian Horner, Red Bull’s team principal. “For us to have the powerplant on site, fully integrated with the chassis and the synergies that creates, the benefits are significant. It is exciting to take on a new challenge, a start-up company taking on a number of iconic brands in Formula 1 as an engine manufacturer.”

“The foundations of our powertrain for 2026 are being laid today,” Audi board member Oliver Hoffmann said in April.

Honda has been in and out of Formula 1 but has re-committed for 2026, encouraged by the direction of the championship.

“One of the main reasons for our decision to take on the new challenge in F1 is that the world’s top form of racing is striving to become a sustainable racing series,” Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe said in announcing Honda’s participation. He added that this was “in line with Honda’s direction towards carbon neutrality, and will become a platform that will facilitate the development of our electrification technologies.”

With six power unit manufacturers, there will also be six factory teams, where there can be integration between chassis and engine designers.

“You have to be fully integrated with your PU [power unit] to design the right chassis for your regulations,” said Mike Krack, Aston Martin team principal. Aston Martin is now a Mercedes customer, but will become Honda’s works team from 2026. “You can rather have a lot more information related to power management, what aero configuration to run, to set the right targets, and this is just a big asset for this kind of regulation.”

Not every team has a work partner. Haas will be one of four customer teams, meaning it will buy a drive unit from a manufacturer.

“In 2026 there will be six engine manufacturers, how do you know they will all do the same good job?” said Guenther Steiner, Haas team principal. “There could be two or three that are worse, and if you’re with the right manufacturer, you’re ahead of the others. So there are also advantages to being a customer instead of a factory team.