As we enter the second half of the 2023 season, the talks about 2026 cars, teams, and engines have begun already. The FIA World Motorsport Council has made it clear to look out for new regulations to the engines by 2026. With the change in engine, there is a promise of faster and safer cars with 100% sustainable fuels.
Even though the cars will have the same setups and will work on the 1.6-liter V6 twin-turbo hybrid unit, the rules will be on the way that the power is generated. This means that they will be exactly like before with 1000+ horsepower but with much more efficiency and safer for drivers.
Engine changes for 2026
Some of the changes that we may get to see according to the FIA regulations are below.
Lesser Fuel, 1000+ horsepower
With this increased electrical power, less fuel will be used in the machinery. This means less fuel will be flowing into the engines. Yet it will develop more than 1000 horsepower.
F1 to get its real sound back in 2026 https://t.co/3ud6Trs9F3 Formula 1 engine noise will increase when new regulations are introduced in 2026, as the MGU-H will be removed. pic.twitter.com/fL3rOVgIS2
— AutoRacing1.com (@AutoRacing1) June 24, 2023
This can also make them louder. From using 220lbs of fuel during Grand Prix, the aim is to be more environmentally friendly and the cars will use only 154lbs of fuel during the Grand Prix.
Sustainable fuels
The cars will be using and running on completely sustainable fuels. This means that there will be no need to burn any new fossil carbon and worry about carbon fuel emissions. They will be created from waste, non-food sources, or gases and the atmosphere.
Increased electrical power
The current 1.6-liter V6 twin-turbo hybrid unit will have an addition to it. The MGU-K or the Kinetic Motor Generator Unit will be added to the unit.
The MGU-K will act as a booster as it will increase the electrical power generated by the hybrid components by times three. This means that the MGU-K will develop 350kW in 2026 instead of 120kW which is produced currently by the MGU-K and MGU-H.
Safer cars
All the high-voltage equipment, including the MGU-K, will be kept in the chassis. It will be placed next to the battery and control electronics. This will make the car a much safer ride.
Lower cost but more innovation
Once the MGU-H or the Motor Generator Unit — Heat will be discontinued, it will bring down the cost down. The expensive materials and systems will be completely scrapped. With this, there will be a three-power unit per car, per season limit.
These new regulations will bring down the costs for the constructors. It will also provide them with a much more environmentally responsible car. The drivers may find it a challenge to battle one another for the World Championships because of the removal of MGU-H which might bring the turbo lags back. Even so, it promises to be as fast as it has always been and much more environmentally friendly.