⚙️ The Power Unit

Car Knowledge · Last updated September 2026
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The hybrid V6 turbo era, and what changes under the 2026 regulations.

The hybrid unit

Since 2014, F1 cars are powered by a hybrid power unit: a 1.6-litre V6 turbocharged engine paired with energy-recovery systems that harvest energy under braking and from the turbo and feed it back through an electric motor.

The 2026 changes

The 2026 regulations simplify the unit: the turbo heat-recovery system (MGU-H) is dropped, electrical power rises to roughly half of total output, and the cars run on 100% sustainable fuel. The change also attracted new engine suppliers.

Manufacturers

Engine suppliers on the grid include long-standing marques such as Mercedes, Ferrari, Honda and Renault/Alpine, joined in recent seasons by Red Bull Ford Powertrains, Audi and Cadillac.

Sources

Last updated: September 2026

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