2025/2026 Hybrid Powerunit speculation

All that has to do with the power train, gearbox, clutch, fuels and lubricants, etc. Generally the mechanical side of Formula One.
CaribouBread
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Re: 2025/2026 Hybrid Powerunit speculation

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There are some budding rumors (Motorsport Weekly/Radio LeMans) about Audi's intention to not continue with the Sauber partnership. =D> =D> :lol: Imagine if we're stuck with this weirdly compromised engine reg just for VAG to not even show up to the playground.

mzso
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Re: 2025/2026 Hybrid Powerunit speculation

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That's typical.

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Mogster
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Re: 2025/2026 Hybrid Powerunit speculation

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I think there’s probably a dawning realisation that it’s going to be very difficult to catch up with Merc, Ferrari, RBR, Mclaren.

Maybe buying an existing back of the grid team is starting to look like the wrong decision. Andretti GM Gainbridge can build, spend and test whatever they want until they join the grid. Sauber/Audi are constrained by the cost cap and capex financial rules. If Audi had bit the bullet and started their own team they could have poured money in outside of F1s financial fair play structure. Just a thought.

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Juzh
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Re: 2025/2026 Hybrid Powerunit speculation

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Some new comments from Tombazis on the engine side of things for 2026+

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/reve ... /10557347/
Talk of the 2026 regulation plans earlier this year was dominated by concerns from Red Bull in particular of there being potential for big problems on the horizon.


With the ICE element of the power unit going from around 550-560kw down to 400kw, and the battery element jumping from 150kw to 350kw, it was obvious that putting the future engines in the current cars would lead to battery power running out quite early on the straights.

And even with lighter cars, if drag was too high, places like Monza could be a challenge and force drivers to do weird stuff – like changing down gears on the straight – to try to get some recharging going.

Tombazis thinks those worries were unfounded and based on early simulation models that were far away from where things are at right now.

"These were comments that were probably a bit premature, because we hadn't completed the work yet," he said.

"We never believed that was a disaster scenario, because we knew that there were solutions.

"We believe that the combination of low drag on the cars, with the way that energy can be recovered or deployed, achieves a speed profile of these cars which is very similar to the current cars.

"So the cars won't be reaching the top speed in the middle of the straight and then degrading or anything like that. That's not going to be the case."

Tombazis said the FIA is clear that they want cars to be running hard into corners so drivers are heavy on the brakes – and not lifting and coasting and taking it easy on entry.

That will be more of a challenge at some venues with long straights, like Monza and Spa, but special allowances could be made at such places.

"There's some tweaks on the energy side of the engine that will achieve the correct characteristics," he said.
He basically contradicts himself by first saying there will be no problems with the energy and then in the next sentence suggesting and unprecedented rules adjustments for certain tracks where sensible energy management will be difficult, if not impossible. Basically almost confirming RBs theory to certain extent.

Even so, how exactly would this tweak work? Problem lies in energy recuperation itself, therefore only possible solution I can see is reduction in total mgu-k power output to much lower levels so battery can last longer, hardly a solution in my opinion.

wuzak
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Re: 2025/2026 Hybrid Powerunit speculation

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Juzh wrote:
13 Dec 2023, 13:35
Some new comments from Tombazis on the engine side of things for 2026+

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/reve ... /10557347/
Talk of the 2026 regulation plans earlier this year was dominated by concerns from Red Bull in particular of there being potential for big problems on the horizon.


With the ICE element of the power unit going from around 550-560kw down to 400kw, and the battery element jumping from 150kw to 350kw, it was obvious that putting the future engines in the current cars would lead to battery power running out quite early on the straights.

And even with lighter cars, if drag was too high, places like Monza could be a challenge and force drivers to do weird stuff – like changing down gears on the straight – to try to get some recharging going.

Tombazis thinks those worries were unfounded and based on early simulation models that were far away from where things are at right now.

"These were comments that were probably a bit premature, because we hadn't completed the work yet," he said.

"We never believed that was a disaster scenario, because we knew that there were solutions.

"We believe that the combination of low drag on the cars, with the way that energy can be recovered or deployed, achieves a speed profile of these cars which is very similar to the current cars.

"So the cars won't be reaching the top speed in the middle of the straight and then degrading or anything like that. That's not going to be the case."

Tombazis said the FIA is clear that they want cars to be running hard into corners so drivers are heavy on the brakes – and not lifting and coasting and taking it easy on entry.

That will be more of a challenge at some venues with long straights, like Monza and Spa, but special allowances could be made at such places.

"There's some tweaks on the energy side of the engine that will achieve the correct characteristics," he said.
He basically contradicts himself by first saying there will be no problems with the energy and then in the next sentence suggesting and unprecedented rules adjustments for certain tracks where sensible energy management will be difficult, if not impossible. Basically almost confirming RBs theory to certain extent.

Even so, how exactly would this tweak work? Problem lies in energy recuperation itself, therefore only possible solution I can see is reduction in total mgu-k power output to much lower levels so battery can last longer, hardly a solution in my opinion.
The problem is also battery size.

Can't store enough energy to use on those long straights.

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Juzh
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Joined: 06 Oct 2012, 08:45

Re: 2025/2026 Hybrid Powerunit speculation

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wuzak wrote:
13 Dec 2023, 15:25
Juzh wrote:
13 Dec 2023, 13:35
Some new comments from Tombazis on the engine side of things for 2026+

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/reve ... /10557347/
Talk of the 2026 regulation plans earlier this year was dominated by concerns from Red Bull in particular of there being potential for big problems on the horizon.


With the ICE element of the power unit going from around 550-560kw down to 400kw, and the battery element jumping from 150kw to 350kw, it was obvious that putting the future engines in the current cars would lead to battery power running out quite early on the straights.

And even with lighter cars, if drag was too high, places like Monza could be a challenge and force drivers to do weird stuff – like changing down gears on the straight – to try to get some recharging going.

Tombazis thinks those worries were unfounded and based on early simulation models that were far away from where things are at right now.

"These were comments that were probably a bit premature, because we hadn't completed the work yet," he said.

"We never believed that was a disaster scenario, because we knew that there were solutions.

"We believe that the combination of low drag on the cars, with the way that energy can be recovered or deployed, achieves a speed profile of these cars which is very similar to the current cars.

"So the cars won't be reaching the top speed in the middle of the straight and then degrading or anything like that. That's not going to be the case."

Tombazis said the FIA is clear that they want cars to be running hard into corners so drivers are heavy on the brakes – and not lifting and coasting and taking it easy on entry.

That will be more of a challenge at some venues with long straights, like Monza and Spa, but special allowances could be made at such places.

"There's some tweaks on the energy side of the engine that will achieve the correct characteristics," he said.
He basically contradicts himself by first saying there will be no problems with the energy and then in the next sentence suggesting and unprecedented rules adjustments for certain tracks where sensible energy management will be difficult, if not impossible. Basically almost confirming RBs theory to certain extent.

Even so, how exactly would this tweak work? Problem lies in energy recuperation itself, therefore only possible solution I can see is reduction in total mgu-k power output to much lower levels so battery can last longer, hardly a solution in my opinion.
The problem is also battery size.

Can't store enough energy to use on those long straights.
Battery capacity limit is more arbitrary than recovery capabilities, which I guess will be maxed out and not possible to adjust with a few lines of rules. Batteries are over-sized in any case, right? So they could eat into this space, at possible cost to reliability.

CHT
CHT
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Re: 2025/2026 Hybrid Powerunit speculation

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This guy did a good job explaining what about the come and 2026 is likely to be a significant step down from the current PU


Tommy Cookers
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Re: 2025/2026 Hybrid Powerunit speculation

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CHT wrote:
14 Dec 2023, 01:05
This guy did a good job explaining ..... 2026 is likely to be a significant step down from the current PU
he seems the first to acknowledge that present F1 fuel has unlimited octane number (as I pointed out over 10 years)

testing of fuel 'octane' ie detonation resistance (by the mandated RON and MON tests) is subject to distortion ...
fuels with higher evaporative cooling than the mandated reference fuel (iso-octane) thereby test as 'higher octane'
the distortion can be eliminated by appropriate heating
RON temperature is different to MON's so real-fuel RON & MON are unequal but reference fuel RON & MON are equal
this distortion amounts to 'free octane' available to fuel blends
the benefits (usually with rich mixtures) have been accessed before and ever since the first 'pump fuel' rules in F1

but F1 hybrid ICE power comes from limited fuel quantity not the normal unlimited fuel - limited boost,volume, &rpm
the limited fuel quantity gives more power, if the ICE's designed around leaner/cooler running via more air mass-flow
even with the latest technologies this costs more in fluid & mechanical losses ....
but saves much more via much reduced energy loss in dumping much less heat to coolant & exhaust
so more of the energy is available in-cylinder to be converted to work
'free octane' isn't used - lean mixture (& in-combustion fueling adjustment) anyway allows higher compression ratio etc

increased-alcohol (or other 'oxygenate') fuel for 2026 will (afaik) give a wider explosive range ....
allowing even leaner running & helping offset efficiency lost due to the elimination of the MGU-H turbine
the 2026 limit of 102 RON seems high enough

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Juzh
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Joined: 06 Oct 2012, 08:45

Re: 2025/2026 Hybrid Powerunit speculation

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some good new info from reddit user zantkiller. In essence new rules now provide enablement for a push-to-pass system.

https://old.reddit.com/r/formula1/comme ... technical/
The latest regulations were published today and there has been quite the overhaul to various sections but one that caught my eye was a change to the limits of power from ERS-K at various speeds. Prior to the latest issue the regulations were:
  • 5.4.7 Additionally, the electrical DC power of the ERS-K used to propel the car may not exceed:

    P(kW)=1850-5* car speed (kph) when the car speed is below 340kph

    150kW when the car speed is equal to or above 340kph
The latest version now reads:
  • 5.4.8 Additionally, the electrical DC power of the ERS‐K used to propel the car may not exceed:
    i)

    P(kW) = 1800 – 5 * car speed (kph) when the car speed is below 340kph

    P(kW) = 6900 – 20 * car speed (kph) when the car speed is equal to or above 340kph

    P(kW) = 0 when the car speed is equal to or above 345kph

    ii) In “override” mode up to:

    P(kW) = 7100 – 20 * car speed (kph) when the car speed is below 355kph

    P(kW) = 0 when the car speed is equal to or above 355kph

    The details of the “override” mode are specified in the Sporting Regulations.
I know there are engine modes but I can't think of a prior time where there was a defined "Override" mode where the details are set out in the sporting regulations as to how you can use it. Note the sporting regulations at present do not contain said details.

To me that sounds remarkably like an Overtake/Push-To-Pass mode.

EDIT
Turns out further reading the regulations is helpful as it outrightly says there will be an overtake mode later on in the regulations to be selected by the driver:
  • 5.14.7
    The driver maximum power demand cannot be increased during any full throttle period, except when the overtake mode, as specified in the Appendix to the Regulations, is selected by the driver.
Also to anyone reading these and wondering what it means in regards to the ERS power.

Up to 290kph you will be able to use the full 350kW of power from MGU-K.
From 290kph to 340kph there is a gradual decrease in power output from the MGU-K from 350kW to 100kW.
From 340kph to 345kph there is a more significant drop in power output from the MGU-K from 100kW to 0kW.
Above 345kph you will get no power from the MGU-K

With the "Override" mode there is no drop in power until you reach 337kph at which point there is a linear decrease to 0kW at 355kph
Additionally he provides a power curve graph
https://old.reddit.com/r/formula1/comme ... l/kwzmsfo/
Image

CaribouBread
CaribouBread
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Re: 2025/2026 Hybrid Powerunit speculation

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Juzh wrote:
28 Mar 2024, 22:17
...
Hmm to be honest as long as its just from the electric part, this just seems like a way to standardize end of straight ERS deployment (as it exists now) for all teams. Losing the DRS gimmick to gain an ERS gimmick.

taperoo2k
taperoo2k
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Joined: 02 Mar 2012, 17:33

Re: 2025/2026 Hybrid Powerunit speculation

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Juzh wrote:
28 Mar 2024, 22:17
some good new info from reddit user zantkiller. In essence new rules now provide enablement for a push-to-pass system.

https://old.reddit.com/r/formula1/comme ... technical/
The latest regulations were published today and there has been quite the overhaul to various sections but one that caught my eye was a change to the limits of power from ERS-K at various speeds. Prior to the latest issue the regulations were:
  • 5.4.7 Additionally, the electrical DC power of the ERS-K used to propel the car may not exceed:

    P(kW)=1850-5* car speed (kph) when the car speed is below 340kph

    150kW when the car speed is equal to or above 340kph
The latest version now reads:
  • 5.4.8 Additionally, the electrical DC power of the ERS‐K used to propel the car may not exceed:
    i)

    P(kW) = 1800 – 5 * car speed (kph) when the car speed is below 340kph

    P(kW) = 6900 – 20 * car speed (kph) when the car speed is equal to or above 340kph

    P(kW) = 0 when the car speed is equal to or above 345kph

    ii) In “override” mode up to:

    P(kW) = 7100 – 20 * car speed (kph) when the car speed is below 355kph

    P(kW) = 0 when the car speed is equal to or above 355kph

    The details of the “override” mode are specified in the Sporting Regulations.
I know there are engine modes but I can't think of a prior time where there was a defined "Override" mode where the details are set out in the sporting regulations as to how you can use it. Note the sporting regulations at present do not contain said details.

To me that sounds remarkably like an Overtake/Push-To-Pass mode.

EDIT
Turns out further reading the regulations is helpful as it outrightly says there will be an overtake mode later on in the regulations to be selected by the driver:
  • 5.14.7
    The driver maximum power demand cannot be increased during any full throttle period, except when the overtake mode, as specified in the Appendix to the Regulations, is selected by the driver.
Also to anyone reading these and wondering what it means in regards to the ERS power.

Up to 290kph you will be able to use the full 350kW of power from MGU-K.
From 290kph to 340kph there is a gradual decrease in power output from the MGU-K from 350kW to 100kW.
From 340kph to 345kph there is a more significant drop in power output from the MGU-K from 100kW to 0kW.
Above 345kph you will get no power from the MGU-K

With the "Override" mode there is no drop in power until you reach 337kph at which point there is a linear decrease to 0kW at 355kph
Additionally he provides a power curve graph
https://old.reddit.com/r/formula1/comme ... l/kwzmsfo/
https://i.imgur.com/ygMpulJ.png
Some more info in this thread on X/twitter. Looks like the FIA might be looking to control a lot more about
the PU's. https://x.com/mollym_o/status/1773751805953872227?s=20

CaribouBread
CaribouBread
101
Joined: 29 Mar 2022, 08:37

Re: 2025/2026 Hybrid Powerunit speculation

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taperoo2k wrote:
29 Mar 2024, 19:12

Some more info in this thread on X/twitter. Looks like the FIA might be looking to control a lot more about
the PU's. https://x.com/mollym_o/status/1773751805953872227?s=20

Replace the "x" in the x dot com, with 'twitter' to embed the link



Some new/important bits, stricter spark/cycle limitations, stricter Lambda sensor placements potentially to regulate AFR (not a fan of this), stricter definition and allocation of engine ancillaries and secondary components and the Push To Pass system described previously.

wuzak
wuzak
467
Joined: 30 Aug 2011, 03:26

Re: 2025/2026 Hybrid Powerunit speculation

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Some changes to the latest regulations

New clause:
5.4.5 At partial load, the fuel energy flow must not exceed the limit curve defined below:
 EF (MJ/h) = 380 when the engine power is equal to or below ‐50kW
 EF (MJ/h) = 9.78 x engine power (kW) + 869 when the engine power is above ‐50kW

Modified clauses (blue = deleted, red = new)
5.4.7 The absolute electrical DC power of the ERS‐K may not exceed 350kW.
5.4.8 Additionally, the electrical DC power of the ERS‐K used to propel the car may not exceed:
i) P(kW) = [1850 – 5 * car speed] 1800 – 5 * car speed (kph) when the car speed is below 340kph
P(kW) = [150kW] 6900 – 20 * car speed (kph) when the car speed is equal to or above 340kph
P(kW) = 0 when the car speed is equal to or above 345kph
ii) In “override” mode up to:
P(kW) = 7100 – 20 * car speed (kph) when the car speed is below 355kph
P(kW) = 0 when the car speed is equal to or above 355kph
The details of the “override” mode are specified in the Sporting Regulations. 5.4.89



5.4.10 The energy harvested by the ERS‐K, as measured at the CU‐K HV DC Bus, must not exceed 9MJ. 8.5MJ in each lap, subject to the following additional conditions:
This limit applies to the energy going out of the CU‐K HV DC Bus.
i) Exceptionally, this limit on energy harvested in each lap may be reduced to 8MJ at Competitions where the FIA determines that the maximum possible energy harvested per lap under braking and in partial load is no more than 8MJ. These Competitions and the vehicle fundamentals used for the calculation of maximum energy harvested
will be provided in the Appendix to the Technical and Sporting Regulations.
ii) Up to 0.5MJ additional energy may be harvested in each lap subject to the conditions specified in Article xxx of the Sporting Regulations.


5.14.8 The driver maximum torque power demand may only must not be subsequently reduced at a
maximum
any greater than the rates defined below: of 100kW in any 1s period
a) 50kW in any 1s period at Competitions where the FIA determines that the power
limited distance exceeds 3500m. These Competitions and the vehicle fundamentals
used for the calculation of the power limited distance may be found in the Appendix
to the Technical and Sporting Regulations.
b) 100kW in any 1s period at all other Competitions.
Furthermore,
the total power reduction will be is limited to a maximum of 450kW and the resulting electrical DC power of the ERS‐K must remain above ‐100kW.


More new clauses
5.14.5 At any given engine speed, the minimum torque in the driver torque demand map must be a
value achievable with the power unit when the ERS‐K power is 0.
5.14.6 Except for conforming to Article 5.4.7, the electrical DC power of the ERS‐K must be a minimum
of 200kW for 1s at the start of any full throttle period.
5.14.7 The driver maximum power demand cannot be increased during any full throttle period, except
when the overtake mode, as specified in the Appendix to the Regulations, is selected by the
driver.

5.14.9 The electrical DC power of the ERS‐K may not be reduced at rates greater than those specified
in Article 5.14.8, unless:
 the theoretical MGUK power resulting from reduction at rates equal to those specified in Article 5.14.8 is negative;
 the ICE power is negative and the ERS‐K power needs to be reduced further to achieve the driver demand;
 the ERS‐K power needs to be reduced further to achieve the maximum power permitted by Article 5.4.7;
 the driver power demand is negative;
 a gearshift is in progress.
5.14.10 Details of the implementation in the FIA Standard ECU of the application and monitoring of Article 5.14 may be found in the Appendix to the Technical and Sporting Regulations.

5.21.6 With the exception of the ES safety systems, the ES cells defined in 5.2.25 are the only energy
storage source allowed in the ES.

wuzak
wuzak
467
Joined: 30 Aug 2011, 03:26

Re: 2025/2026 Hybrid Powerunit speculation

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So now maximum power of MGUK (350kW) can be only used up to 290kph rather than 300kph.

Maximum MGUK power at 340kph has changed from 150kW to 100kW.

MGUK power can be 200kW above 340kph in override mode, reducing to 0kW at 355kph.

Maximum recharge while driver is at full throttle is now set to 100kW. Previously it could be higher if the full 350kW MGUK output wasn't used during the full throttle period.

wuzak
wuzak
467
Joined: 30 Aug 2011, 03:26

Re: 2025/2026 Hybrid Powerunit speculation

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If I am reading this correctly, 350kW MGUK output will be available until 335kph in override mode, compared to 290kph in normal mode.