The FIA World Motorsport Council have today approved a raft of changes for new power unit regulations set to be implemented for the 2026 season. The changes see Formula 1 working towards their Net Zero Carbon campaign, with the key components including increased electrical power and 100% sustainable fuels.
The 2026 power units will continue to run on V6 internal combustion architecture, with the FIA revealing four key focusses of the significant changes.
The first such area is that of maintaining the spectacle. The 2026 power unit will have a similar level of performance to the current ones, utilising high power and high revving internal combustion units. The intention here is to avoid excessive differences in performance, creating a more even field for an enhanced racing experience.
The second focus is one of key importance for Formula 1 as they work to achieve Net Zero Carbon, being environmental sustainability. This will see an increase in electrical power of up to 50%, and a 100% sustainable fuel used in cars.
Financial sustainability is also one area of regard for these implementations. These power units have been designed with an intention of cost reduction, whilst retaining the technological spectacle viewers are treated to.
Finally, the changes have been made in a manner which will appeal to further power unit manufacturers, intending to attract newcomers to the sport.
The new 2026 regulations will also see the removal of the Motor Generator Unit Heat (MGU-H), and an increase in the power output on the Engine Recovery System being increase to 350kW.
Porsche and Audi are two such manufacturers rumored to be rejoining the sport in the near future, and the power unit changes are seen as ones which will appeal to them, with sustainability being key focuses of both companies. Porsche have already began processes to buy a stake of Red Bull, making a partnership with the outfit, and their sister-team Alpha Tauri, likely come 2026.
With a desire to hit Net Zero Carbon by 2030, the new power unit changes are a step in the right direction for the sport. F1 offices are already using 100% renewable energy, with freight and logistics between races being continually enhanced to be conducted with sustainability as a key focus. The organisation are even reviewing how fans travel to events to analyse how it may possibly be improved.
A press release by F1 in June summarises the process, by stating:
“With eight years to go until 2030, F1 is racing towards its target.”
Feature Image: Formula 1
