Facts and Stats: Power Unit Regulation Changes.

Formula One is a sport renowned for its technological innovation, that is the nature of motorsport, where the worlds of sport and automotive industry come together to create something special. Few other sports see such a routine overhaul of their sport like Formula One.

The change in power unit regulations creates intense and fascinating moments of development. As we know following the team’s success since the 2014 introduction of the first ever F1 hybrid power engines, fundamental engine redesigns are pivotal moments in the history of our sport.

2026 presents the biggest change to our power units since 2014 and is something we at the team have been poring over ever since the announcement of these new regulations. However, as we edge ever closer to this new era, the story of this change grows ever louder.

As part of The Road to 2026, the PETRONAS-powered content series that positions a magnifying glass over these regulation changes, we’ve broken down exactly what is changing to the power unit next year.

50/50 Internal Combustion-to-Electronic Power

Currently, the power units are powered by approximately 80% internal combustion engine (I.C.E) and 20% electronic power. For 2026, this will split to an even split, of 50% I.C.E and 50% electronic power.

MGU-H out, MGU-K up!

But how are we doing this? While it may sound contradictory at first, we will see one of the Energy Recovery System (ERS) elements removed from the engine. The MGU-H (Motor Generator Unit – Heat) is being removed from Formula One. In the current cars, the MGU-H takes what was previously waste heat from the exhaust gases of the car and turned it into electric energy that went to the energy store.

As a particularly complicated piece of technology, this is being removed to provide a more level playing field for new Power Unit manufacturers entering or looking to enter the sport.

Now, if we are removing such an innovative resource, how are we more than doubling our electronic energy? This is where the MGU-K (Motor Generator Unit – Kinetic) comes in. This has worked alongside the MGU-H since its introduction in 2014. Like the MGU-H, it harvests energy from previously wasted sources. It harvests the energy created from braking and the car’s deceleration and transfers it to the energy store, for the driver’s use on the track, to increase the car acceleration at corner exit.

While the MGU-K has since 2014 supplied 120 kilowatts of power, from 2026 it will now produce 350 kilowatts of power. By embracing innovative design directions focusing on increasing the power density and efficiency, this will be achieved without increasing the size and mass of it by that same ~3:1 ratio, therefore keeping the weight of the PU and car under control.

Reduced Fuel Flow

As part of the sport’s continued quest for improved sustainability, there is also a reduction to the fuel flow permitted to the engine. While previously the engines were allowed 100kg of fuel per hour to flow to the engine, that is reduced to approximately 75kg per hour for 2026 (depending on energy density of the fuel).

While this presents the teams with a challenge, it is also an opportunity for our title partnership with PETRONAS to shine. Fuel formulation will be of vital importance, and we could not have a better partner than PETRONAS to tackle this head on.

Sustainably Powered

Further to the focus on fuel formulation, to increase engine thermal efficiency, PETRONAS’ vital contribution to the team comes through the introduction of the components making up the fuel that will power the car’s Power Unit from next year onwards being from advanced sustainable sources

The Racing Effect

But how will this affect the actual racing you see on track? What does it mean for the action of the sport we know and love?

For the drivers, this will mean they will have far more options when they are attacking and defending as they go wheel-to-wheel on track.

The Stats