F1 2026: Confirmed teams and power unit suppliers for F1\u2019s huge regulation changes<\/a><\/p>\nThe introduction of sustainable fuels, which will see the removal of fossil fuels from use, means running high-efficiency hybrid engines with increased electrification is less critical to F1\u2019s increasingly green agenda as part of its push to reach carbon net zero by 2030.<\/p>\n
To that end, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem earlier this year proposed a return to the high-revving naturally-aspirated V10 engines, which were last used in 2005, or a V8 design as used between 2006 and \u201913.<\/p>\n
The suggestion led to serious discussions amongst the members of the F1 Commission, ie. the teams and power unit manufacturers along with the FIA and FOM, about whether or not to abandon the upcoming engine regulations entirely, in order to bring back the V10 or V8 to simplify the formula, reduce costs, and re-capture an element of nostalgia due to the visceral noise these engines create.<\/p>\n
A working group was established to evaluate a V10 powertrain running on sustainable fuel, but pushback from the power unit manufacturers who have invested huge sums of money to prepare for the new formula meant that the idea for an immediate switch was put aside to take a more measured approach to a possible change.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s understood that Honda, which returns as a full-fledged engine manufacturer next season, as well as Audi, debuting as a team and engine manufacturer in 2026, are the most averse to the possibility of a 2029 introduction.<\/p>\n
Following the initial discussions of the F1 Commission on the topic earlier this year, Audi said, \u201cOur aim is to help shape a sustainable and future-oriented form of motorsport that leverages cutting-edge technologies\u2014benefiting not only Formula 1 but also Audi\u2019s broader technological development which we see reflected in the 2026 power unit regulations.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAudi remains fully committed to entering Formula 1 from 2026 onwards, with power unit technology built around three key pillars: highly efficient engines, advanced hybrid electrification, and the use of sustainable fuels.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHonda\u2019s desire for F1 to remain the pinnacle of motorsports remains unchanged,\u201d Watanabe explained to Japanese outlet AS-Web at Silverstone.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will continue to discuss what power unit is appropriate for that. Honda\u2019s current position is that we believe that electrification is a very important element in moving towards a sustainable future.\u201d<\/p>\n
But Mercedes, Ferrari, and Ford\/Red Bull Powertrains are understood to be more open to the idea of a different engine formula being introduced more quickly than the original schedule of running to the end of F1 2030 with the new hybrids, although at least one of these three has indicated a preference to run the full five years to maximise the investment made.<\/p>\n
Speaking to PlanetF1.com about the topic, Ford\u2019s director of Global Performance Mark Rushbrook said that compromise between all the involved parties is likely.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe go in [to F1] as a stakeholder of the sport, and we will go in with our opinion of what is important to us, but we also know there needs to be a lot of give and take,\u201d he said when asked about the possibility of a new engine formula in the future.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd we expect the same from the other manufacturers, and we generally see that from the other manufacturers, because, again, they\u2019re there generally for the long haul, and they they know the same thing. There\u2019s got to be a lot of give and take.\u201d<\/p>\n
In July, Ben Sulayem said a switch to a V8 is the \u201cright way to go\u201d for Formula 1, who said the F1 teams have started to realise the benefits of the idea once some of the cost of the research, development, and production of the new hybrids is recouped across a few years.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe V8\u2026 is it happening?\u201d he said during a round-table discussion with select media, including PlanetF1.com, at Silverstone.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, with the team now, I\u2019m very optimistic, happy about it, and FOM (Formula One Management) is supportive.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe teams are realising that it is the right way.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I brought up V6, V8, V10, or V12, it was an idea\u2026 it\u2019s to sustain the business. The current engine is so complicated, you have no idea. And it is costly. R&D is reaching 200 million.<\/p>\n
\u201cAn engine is costing approximately 1.8 to 2.1 million [dollars], so if we go on with a straight V8, many of the manufacturer and OEMS produce V8s in their cars, so commercially, it\u2019s correct.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow much do you drop it [the cost]? The target is more than 50 percent in everything. But then you sustain what you have. Then the teams can afford it.<\/p>\n
\u201cMuch cheaper, lighter by 90 to 100 kilogrammes, which means that what we can add more safety in, which is worth 50 kilograms, is going to be even less.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe worst thing to a driver is the mass weight, the car will be smaller and it will be better, and then the sound, you will have it.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, really, that is the way to go. It\u2019s cutting costs. People think that Formula 1 is unlimited money, but not all the teams. So this is something now we are having the buy-in.\u201d<\/p>\n
The specifics, he suggested, are trivialities in the bigger scheme of such a switch, as he offered a possible timeline as to when a naturally aspirated engine could return.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe only thing we have to tweak is with the technicals, is it 2.5, 2.6, or 3 litre? Who cares? Is it a V8 or V10? It\u2019s depending on the teams,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe consult with them, and then we listen to them. We need to do it soon. When I say soon, I mean\u2026 2026 is coming. It will take at least\u2026you need three years.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, hopefully, by 2029, we will have something there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Read next:\u00a0Fernando Alonso points at real \u2018problem\u2019 as latest F1 format changes proposed<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"F1\u2019s power unit manufacturers are set to hold a meeting to discuss a proposal to switch to simplified…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":120811,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[573],"tags":[64,63,817,813,816,818,44,85,13852],"class_list":{"0":"post-120810","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-formula-1","8":"tag-au","9":"tag-australia","10":"tag-f1","11":"tag-formula-1","12":"tag-formula1","13":"tag-home-page","14":"tag-news","15":"tag-sports","16":"tag-uncategorized"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/120810","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=120810"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/120810\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/120811"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=120810"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=120810"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=120810"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}