2026 F1 Power Unit Changes Explained: What the New Regulations Mean for Formula 1

• ICE is still a 1.6 Litre V6
• MGU-H will be removed
• MGU-K will be the cornerstone of the 2026 F1 Power Unit
• Maximum MGU-K output increases from 120 kW to 350 kW
• 100% sustainable fuels
• Energy management will be the key during this new phase of Formula 1

The current hybrid power unit formula, introduced in 2014, achieved unprecedented thermal efficiency but also became extremely complex and expensive. According to FIA regulations and Formula 1 management, the 2026 overhaul was driven by three core objectives:

1. Greater sustainability, including the use of 100% sustainable fuels
2. Simplification of power unit architecture to reduce costs and barriers to entry
3. Improved relevance to road-car technology, particularly electrification

The resulting ruleset keeps Formula 1 as a hybrid championship while fundamentally changing how hybrid power is generated and used.

The Internal Combustion Engine: Still a 1.6-Litre V6

From 2026, Formula 1 will continue to use a 1.6-litre turbocharged V6 internal combustion engine. However, its role is significantly reduced compared to the current era.

Under the new FIA regulations:

• The ICE produces a lower proportion of total power
• Fuel flow limits are replaced by energy-based fuel restrictions
• Engine development prioritises efficiency and compatibility with sustainable fuels

This ensures continuity with the hybrid era while allowing a major shift in energy balance.

One of the most important 2026 F1 power unit changes is the removal of the MGU-H, the motor generator unit connected to the turbocharger.

The MGU-H was:

• Technically complex
• Expensive to develop
• Largely irrelevant to road-car technology

From 2026, the turbocharger will operate without electrical assistance or energy recovery. According to the FIA, this change dramatically lowers development costs and simplifies power unit design, making Formula 1 more attractive to new manufacturers.

MGU-K Output Nearly Triples

The remaining electric motor, the MGU-K, becomes the centrepiece of the 2026 power unit.

Key changes include:

• Maximum MGU-K output increasing from 120 kW to 350 kW
• Electrical power accounting for approximately 50% of total power output
• Far greater reliance on battery deployment during racing laps

This marks the most electrically powerful Formula 1 cars in history.

Under the 2026 regulations:

• Cars will recover significantly more electrical energy under braking
• Energy deployment is more tightly controlled by software and FIA limits
• Teams must carefully balance harvesting and deployment to avoid power shortfalls on straights.

Unlike the current system, drivers will not rely on the MGU-H to maintain turbo speed, placing greater emphasis on energy management and driving style. The teams that understand this topic well, will have a major uphand during the early parts of the upcoming season.

Another cornerstone of the 2026 F1 power unit changes is the introduction of 100% sustainable fuel, as confirmed by Formula 1 and the FIA.

These fuels:

• Are drop-in replacements, not ethanol blends
• Produce near-zero net carbon emissions
• Are designed to be relevant to future road-car fuel solutions

Crucially, Formula 1 positions sustainable fuel, not full electrification, as its primary decarbonisation pathway.

Changes to Overtaking and Power Deployment

With electric power playing a much larger role, Formula 1 is introducing new power deployment modes alongside revised aerodynamic regulations.

From 2026:

• Electrical deployment will be strategically limited on straights
• Drivers will rely more on energy recovery zones
• Power unit performance becomes closely linked to overtaking capability

This is designed to prevent cars from running out of electrical power before the end of long straights – a key concern identified during early simulations.

The 2026 power unit regulations have already reshaped the competitive landscape:

• Audi and Cadillac enter Formula 1 as a full works manufacturers in 2026
• Red Bull Powertrains-Ford develops its first in-house engine
• Mercedes and Ferrari commit to long-term hybrid development

Because power unit performance is expected to vary significantly in the early years, the regulations could influence competitive order more than any engine change since 2014.

A commonly missed aspect of the 2026 rules is that they are not simply about reducing emissions. Instead, they represent a philosophical shift in Formula 1’s identity.

Unlike previous regulation changes:

• Electrification is central, not supplementary
• Sustainable fuels are positioned as a global solution
• Cost control and manufacturer relevance are explicit design goals

This makes the 2026 power unit rules a long-term strategic framework rather than a short-term technical reset.

The 2026 F1 power unit changes will redefine how Formula 1 cars generate performance, how teams approach race strategy, and how manufacturers justify their investment in the sport. By combining a simplified hybrid system, dramatically increased electrical power, and fully sustainable fuels, Formula 1 is aligning its technical future with broader automotive and environmental trends.

As the 2026 season approaches, these power unit regulations are already shaping team decisions, competitive expectations, and the long-term direction of the championship – making them one of the most consequential rule changes in modern Formula 1 history.

What engine will Formula 1 use in 2026?

Formula 1 will continue using a 1.6-litre turbocharged V6 engine, paired with a significantly more powerful MGU-K and no MGU-H.

Why is the MGU-H being removed in 2026?

The FIA removed the MGU-H to reduce cost and complexity and improve relevance to road-car technology.

How much electric power will 2026 F1 cars have?

The MGU-K will produce up to 350 kW, meaning electric power will account for roughly half of total output.

Will Formula 1 use sustainable fuel in 2026?

Yes. From 2026, Formula 1 power units will run exclusively on 100% sustainable fuel, according to FIA regulations.

Which manufacturers are entering Formula 1 because of the 2026 rules?

Audi and Cadillac will enter Formula 1 in 2026, while Ford returns as a power unit partner with Red Bull Powertrains.