The FIA World Motor Sport Council today approved the power unit regulations that will come into force for the 2026 season, with increased electric power and 100% sustainable fuels two of the key aspects of the new approved rules.
The 2026 Formula 1 power units will retain the current V6 internal combustion engine architecture, with the FIA setting out four key pillars of the new regulations:
Keeping up the show: The 2026 power unit will perform similarly to current designs, using high-power, high-revving V6 internal combustion engines and avoiding excessive performance differentiation to allow for competition improvement.
Environmental sustainability: the 2026 power unit will include an increase in electric power deployment of up to 50% and will use 100% sustainable fuel
Financial sustainability: Financial regulations relating to power units will reduce overall costs for competitors while retaining the cutting-edge technological showcase that is at the core of Formula 1.
Attractive to new power unit manufacturers: The regulations aim to make it possible and attractive for newcomers to join the sport at a competitive level.
READ MORE: More efficient, less fuel and net zero carbon: 7 things to know about F1 2026 engine regulations
The 2026 regulations will see the current engine generating unit heat element, or MGU-H, removed, while the power output of the power units’ energy recovery systems will increase to 350 kilowatts.
Motor regulations 2026: everything you need to know
The regulations, the FIA said, were arrived at through “collaborative consultation between the FIA and current and potential new PU manufacturers”.
Speaking about the regulations agreement, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said: “The FIA continues to drive innovation and sustainability across our motorsport portfolio, the Unit Regulations of Formula 1 power from 2026 is the most prominent example of this mission.
READ MORE: Formula 1 on course to offer 100% sustainable fuels by 2026
“The introduction of advanced PU technology alongside sustainable synthetic fuels aligns with our aim to deliver benefits to road car users and meet our net zero carbon target by 2030. Formula 1 is currently enjoying of immense growth and we are confident that these regulations will build on the excitement our 2022 changes have generated.
“I want to thank all the FIA management and technical staff involved in this process for their diligence and commitment to working together with all our Formula 1 stakeholders to make this happen. I also want to thank our members of the WMSC its consideration and approval of these regulations.”
The new power units will use 100% sustainable fuels
2022 and 2023 porpoise and hoop regulations approved
The WMSC also approved changes to the 2022 and 2023 Technical Regulations, designed to address both the aerodynamic porpoise issue and safety standards for hoops.
On the porpoise side, it has now been approved that from this month’s Belgian Grand Prix until the end of the season, there will be changes to redefine the stiffness requirements of the plate and skids around the gauge holes thickness of the cars. in addition to the changes already indicated by a Technical Directive issued to the teams for the summer break.
From 2023, on the other hand, the following changes will be made:
Floor edges will be raised 15mm Diffuser throat height will be raised Diffuser edge stiffness will be increased Additional sensor will be required to control the porpoise phenomenon more effectively
TECHNICAL TUESDAY: Understand the Technical Directive on floors that will come into force at the Belgian GP
The FIA approved changes to address the porpoise
Additionally, following Alfa Romeo driver Zhou Guanyu’s crash at the start of the 2022 British Grand Prix, the following changes around safety standards for F1 car rims were also approved to be part of of the 2023 Technical Regulations:
A rounded top will now be required on the hoop, which will reduce the chances of it going into the ground during an accident A change will be made to ensure a minimum height for the point of application of the homologation test There will be a new Test physical approval where the load pushes the hoop in a forward direction New tests will be defined, to be performed by calculation
Meanwhile, as a medium-term goal, the FIA also announced it was planning a “major review” of roller safety tests by 2024 to ensure cars in the future can withstand higher loads.
WATCH: Everything you need to know about the 2026 engine regulations
