Formula One is to experience is biggest ever regulation changes in its history next season as both chassis and power units will be drastically different. The modern day tomes filled with FIA rules governing the design of both F1 cars and engines are a far cry from the back of a fag packet regulations in 1950.
Then two kinds of engines were allowed with the displacement for natural aspirated engines set at 4500cc whilst those supercharged were restricted to 1500cc. There were no weight restrictions and whilst goggles were a requirement, the drivers could choose not to wear helmets nor seatbelts – and that was that.
Now the modern day F1 power units are highly complex and eye wateringly expensive, something both the FIA and FOM are looking to change in 2030. The power of the manufacturers has reached a zenith in the sport as they refused to countenance proposals earlier this season from the FIA to reduce the amount of electric output in the 2026 powertrain designs.
Controversial 2026 F1 PU’s
Concerns remain that drivers may run out of electrical charge on the longer straights on the F1 calendar causing the cars to slow as they approach the corner, something very un-F1. Such is the concern that one manufacturer may ace the regulations as did Mercedes in 2014, the FIA have introduced a regulatory safety net to allow the rest to catch up.
There’s been plenty of paddock chat about how strong Mercedes are expected to be in 2026, but much of that is due to the outcome the last time the power units were significantly changed. The German marque reportedly outspent other power units suppliers by five to six times the amount in their R&D, reportedly around $1bn.
So for 2026 there will be financial restrictions on developing the V6 turbo hybrids along with restricted resource allocation in terms of bench testing time allowed. Renault elected to close down their F1 power unit plant in France and Alpine will be powered by Mercedes next season.
Alpine engineers move to Ferrari
A number of engineers disappointed with the French companies decision, have move to other power unit manufacturers, with some ending up in Maranello. Prior to the closure of Viry-Chatillon the Renault technicians had a preliminary 2026 power unit being bench tested and on their arrival at Ferrari have expressed concerns about the Italians progress.
Italian publication fomrula1.it is now reporting, the new arrivals are not impressed by what they have seen from Ferrari’s 2026 power unit so far. Some from Alpine have even ‘rejected’ Ferrari’s work. The report claims the former Renault engineers are saying their preliminary Renault engine performed better than the current one close to completion at Ferrari.
Ferrari are said to have been relying on the ex-Renault staff to bring improvements to the currently underpowered V6 turbo hybrid being developed in Maranello. Power unit technical director Enrico Gualtieri is in compete charge over the Ferrari engine development is sat to have empowered the former Renault employees to overcome the current limitations of the unit.
‘Unfixed issues’ Norris warns McLaren
Ferrari PU ‘underpowered’
Yet time is short as the new cars and hybrid powertrains are set to make there debut at the first test on January 26th which will be held in Barcelona ‘behind closed doors.’ Of course Cadillac F1’s new eleventh team will use Ferrari power as will Haas F1 who have purchased Maranello engines since joining the sport in 2016.
Honda are moving to Aston Martin, making the Silverstone based squad a works team for the first tie in their history. Their CEO Andy Cowell is credited as being the brains behind the Mercedes 2014 all dominant engine which compensated more than adequately for a questionable aero platform on the chassis.
Aston Martin have F1 car design guru Adrian Newey now on board, so the team are likely to deliver in terms of aerodynamics, where Mercedes were historically weak. Any powertrain manufacturer who is behind the curve come the start of 2026, will have the FIA safety net of extra resources to try and catch up. Yet it wold probably take a season or more for this to work its way through in terms of performance, something Ferrari do not have with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc expecting great things.
Were Ferrari to be underpowered in 2026, its likely that Hamilton would end his F1 career next year. He has an option to race for the team in 2027, but if his ambitions for the record eight title are thwarted, many F1 analysts believe he will quit the sport.
Red Bull include full Ford involvement
Red Bull will make history next year, as the first ever F1 customer team to build its own power unit. In partnership with Ford their progress has been reported to be solid, although Ford engineers recently admitted they only expected to consult on the electrical side of the PU. In fact they admit to having been involved in the entire project.
Audi are an unknown quantity. As former team Sauber their factory in Switzerland has not always produced great F1 cars from an aerodynamic perspective although they have been recruiting this season as the Audi ra draws ever closer.
The closure of the Renault engine division has left Alpine short of engine parts. A lack of power has hampered drivers Franco Colapinto and Pierre Gasly, who last scored a point at the Belgian Grand Prix. Since then Colapitno has been quietly turning around his season finishing an average of P16.3 ahead of Gasly’s P18.
It appears with his huge South American financial backing, it will be Franco who retains the Alpine seat alongside Gasly in 2026, rather than a return for Jack Doohan or a debut for Estonian driver Paul Aron.
McLaren accused cop “slowing down” Piastri
As hunter Max Verstappen closes in on his papaya liveried rivals it appears there may be a web of cunning manipulation and calculated deceit having develop[ed at the McLaren Technology Centre. In true Machiavellian fashion McLaren now stand accused of discarding all loyalty, morality and honesty as behind the veneer of “we let them race” is in fact a dark plot which has favoured one of their drivers over the other.
Bernie Ecclestone, the ex-F1 supremo accuses the Andrea Stella and Zak Brown double act of favouring Lando Norris over their young Australian driver Oscar Piastri. Norris has overturned a 34 point deficit after a Piastri dominated race in the Netherlands and in just five remarkable race weekends now leads the Formula One drivers’ championship by a single point from his team mate.
Piastri though has somewhat contributed to his own downfall having a miserable weekend in Azerbaijan where he crashed both in qualifying and on lap one of the race. As if things couldn’t get any worse, Oscar made a false start in the Grand Prix before ending up in the wall in turn four….. READ MORE
With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
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Why oh why do we still listen to rambling ranting of a 95 year geriatric who for some reason was never a supporter of a 7 time world champion