The framework for the new rules package, which will mostly ditch MGU-H and switch to fully sustainable fuels, has been agreed for several weeks but awaits final approval.
Autosport understands that the delay was led by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, but that the World Motor Sport Council on Tuesday (August 16) approved the established rules.
Four “key pillars” have been defined by the governing body as underpinning the package which has been designed as the “result of extensive research and development by the FIA” as well as collaboration between new car manufacturers. current and potential power units.
These pillars “keep the show going”, whereby the current specification of the 1.6-litre V6 internal combustion engine with a reduced fuel rate will be largely retained.
However, the complex and expensive Motor Generator Unit – Heat was dropped as planned, which would have been a prerequisite for Porsche and Audi to act in the interest of the Volkswagen Group.
A message of “environmental sustainability” also matches the requirements of the automotive conglomerate, as F1 will switch to fully sustainable fueling while increasing the electric deployment of the hybrid powertrain by up to 50%, or the equivalent of 350kW.
Financial viability will in theory be enforced by the introduction of a cap on powertrain costs.
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool
This comes into force on January 1, 2023 to establish greater sporting and economic parity.
Key figures are for the 2022-25 period, a cost cap of $95m, then $130m from 2026 – although this excludes marketing, current-gen PU business and provision of teams clients.
Minor boundary infractions will be meted out with financial penalties and “minor sporting penalties,” while more serious infractions will result in championship point deductions.
The final pillar of the new regulations is that they are “attractive to new powertrain manufacturers”.
Christian Horner explained at the Hungarian Grand Prix, the last race before the summer break, that a long process was still needed to determine the suitability of Porsche and its Red Bull team.
But government documents have already emerged that reveal a 50% race team membership of the Stuttgart marque in addition to the widely speculated powertrain partnership.
Commenting on the WMSC’s approval of the new rules, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said: “The FIA continues to drive innovation and sustainability forward – across our motorsport portfolio – the Formula 1 Powertrain Regulations 2026 is the most publicized example of this mission.
“The introduction of advanced PU technology along with sustainable synthetic fuels aligns with our goal of delivering benefits to road car users and achieving our goal of net zero carbon by 2030.
“Formula 1 is currently experiencing immense growth and we are confident that these regulations will build on the enthusiasm that our 2022 changes have generated.
“I would like to thank all of the FIA management and technical staff involved in this process for their diligence and commitment to working with all of our stakeholders in Formula 1 to achieve this.
“I would also like to thank our WMSC members for their consideration and approval of these regulations.”
The framework for the new rules package, which will mostly ditch MGU-H and switch to fully sustainable fuels, has been agreed for several weeks but awaits final approval.
Autosport understands that the delay was led by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, but that the World Motor Sport Council on Tuesday (August 16) approved the established rules.
Four “key pillars” have been defined by the governing body as underpinning the package which has been designed as the “result of extensive research and development by the FIA” as well as collaboration between new car manufacturers. current and potential power units.
These pillars “keep the show going”, whereby the current specification of the 1.6-litre V6 internal combustion engine with a reduced fuel rate will be largely retained.
However, the complex and expensive Motor Generator Unit – Heat was dropped as planned, which would have been a prerequisite for Porsche and Audi to act in the interest of the Volkswagen Group.
A message of “environmental sustainability” also matches the requirements of the automotive conglomerate, as F1 will switch to fully sustainable fueling while increasing the electric deployment of the hybrid powertrain by up to 50%, or the equivalent of 350kW.
Financial viability will in theory be enforced by the introduction of a cap on powertrain costs.
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool
This comes into force on January 1, 2023 to establish greater sporting and economic parity.
Key figures are for the 2022-25 period, a cost cap of $95m, then $130m from 2026 – although this excludes marketing, current-gen PU business and provision of teams clients.
Minor boundary infractions will be meted out with financial penalties and “minor sporting penalties,” while more serious infractions will result in championship point deductions.
The final pillar of the new regulations is that they are “attractive to new powertrain manufacturers”.
Christian Horner explained at the Hungarian Grand Prix, the last race before the summer break, that a long process was still needed to determine the suitability of Porsche and its Red Bull team.
But government documents have already emerged that reveal a 50% race team membership of the Stuttgart marque in addition to the widely speculated powertrain partnership.
Commenting on the WMSC’s approval of the new rules, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said: “The FIA continues to drive innovation and sustainability forward – across our motorsport portfolio – the Formula 1 Powertrain Regulations 2026 is the most publicized example of this mission.
“The introduction of advanced PU technology along with sustainable synthetic fuels aligns with our goal of delivering benefits to road car users and achieving our goal of net zero carbon by 2030.
“Formula 1 is currently experiencing immense growth and we are confident that these regulations will build on the enthusiasm that our 2022 changes have generated.
“I would like to thank all of the FIA management and technical staff involved in this process for their diligence and commitment to working with all of our stakeholders in Formula 1 to achieve this.
“I would also like to thank our WMSC members for their consideration and approval of these regulations.”