2026 Formula Changes Simpliflied

So here's a breakdown of the 2026 formula changes taken from various sites (Scarbs, Autosport, etc)

2026 F1 power unit regs are out. Summary, the same layout and power output (~1000hp). But new; eFuel, less fuel flow, and greater ERS-K, to compensate for the loss of combustion power, the ERS-H & Variable trumpets.

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This means we keep the power, but more will come from the hybrid system, not quite 50/50.

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Without the MGUH and variable trumpets the combustion engine will be more laggy. With the reduced fuel flow exhaust-flaming hot antilag strategies won't be practical. Cold antilag and using the added output from the MGUK will be required. (MGU-H pictured - Mercedes)

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Energy recovery will be lost from the lack of the MGUH, which means everything needs to be recovered from the rear axle under braking. Rear brakes will hardly be necessary

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The 2026 Engine Regulations: All You Need To Know!








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Sounds good.

 

This also means now the rules have been set. That will allow Porsche and Audi to start develop engines for the new rule set.

 

We hear a lot about Porsche going into partnership with Red Bull, but the situation regarding Audi is more hazy.

Audi has just cancelled its endurance program, I read, so maybe VW has changed its plans.

 

Audi is looking to purchase Alfa-Romeo are the rumors floating around.

 

But Audi hasn't announced anything concrete about that purchase for the last 3 months.

Vasseur, the Sauber principaln said that the Alfa Romeo sponsorship would likely be reconducted in 2023.

I can's see Alfa and Audi being bedfellows, do you?

 

No I can't, but it would be cheaper to buy the team for Audi.

 

I cannot see Audi (VW) buying Sauber as long as it has links with Alfa Romeo (Stellantis), and that could be after the 2023 season.

 

Not happy with this.

Good parts:
Getting rid of the MGUH.
Zero carbon fuel

Bad parts:
More hybrid (= more weight)
Less fuel flow (why?)
Even more reduction in ICE (why? the ICE is dirt cheap, should've allowed for more ICE so drivers can run it harder!)

With Zero Carbon Fuel this instantly makes any battery usage apart from a small one to keep **** running, utterly useless and an actual bigger waste to environment (since presumably with the new regs they are doubling down even more on it all). Zero Carbon fuel is the perfect excuse to go back to an exciting formula. 16K RPM V10/12, 10 engines per season, call it a day. Hell, even staying with the current V6 and a couple of off the shelf turbos, increase in ICE allowance would greatly improve things. Much cheaper than all this hybrid crap, too.

We're heading for even heavier cars. Great.


****ing idiots.

 

LOL

 

I don’t mind more electric power however do not dumb down the ICE. IF that’s what they’re doing I’m genuinely not interested.

 

Audi will be all over this, and pour money into just like they did with diesels at Le Mans.
Likely result? Victories followed by a complete loss of public interest in the series.

 

F1 hasn't learned from the Merc domination. Arrogance or stupidity?

If they move to more sand pits and daft city tracks in the states it does leave the door wide open for a rival series.

 

When you say "sand pits" is that a not-so-subtle reference to the Saudi Arabian peninsula? If so . . . . LOL!!

 

These new regs don't seem like much of a change to me. And I consider myself to be an advanced gearhead. Which brings me to my point -

Who else really cares about these changes? The new "Netflix" generation of fans? No. The casual TV viewer? No. The occasional live race attendee? The answer there is probably no also.

So as long as they go fast on TV and the formula is supported by the major engine manufacturers, all is well.

For the advanced gearheads we have chat sites like this. That's about all we can do.

All I really care is if Ferrari are competitive or not.

 

Since these "changes" are going to bring Porsche and Audi into F1, personally I find them positive.

A reshuffle of the pack would be a bonus to me. F1 had 4 different formulae in its first 20 years of existence.

Probably a formula change every 5 years would keep F1 attractive and prevent the long domination by one team many dislike.

I hope Liberty will be pushing for that in future.

 

Liberty goes for a new audience where the money is; it's a wise move.

When you think that in Europe (where all the teams come from), Germany and France can't pay for a GP anymore, whilst Belgium or Monaco are at risk, alternatives had to be found.

 

All true.

Let's face it: Liberty is in this to make money, not to keep historic F1 on a pedestal. They took a big gamble when they bought the series and they're doing some really good stuff by expanding it in the US market.

 

My thoughts exactly. From bad to worst...

 

There is worst to come.

In a future formula (after the 2026 one), an ICE could probably become simply a generator for the electric system.

Running at constant revs, its function would be merely to provide power to electric motors, and top up the batteries.

 

...perhaps another motivation for Ferrari to LeMans.

 

No way. Nobody watches Le Mans. It's F1 or bust.

 

I don’t agree and don’t even understand your post. If F1 is no longer F1 then ‘bust’ it is. Ferrari does like making ICE’s. If F1 goes this route it may survive and will have way less interest an following. Why did Ferrari just make a factory lemans car? They have an interest in LeMans.

 

Ferrari will eventually stop making ICEs and be all electric.

Le Mans has a tiny fraction of the following compared to F1. F1 is Ferrari's marketing platform.