F1 2026 engine providers: All you need to know about new power units

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F1 2026

Every F1 2026 engine provider: All you need to know about new power units

There are a couple of new power unit manufacturers in F1

Sam Cook Digital Journalist

Sports Journalist who has been covering motorsport since 2023

Friday 6 February 2026 20:47

The new F1 season is nearly upon us, and 2026 is seeing plenty of changes sweeping into the sport, including which teams are being supplied by which power unit manufacturer.

Wholesale regulation changes are causing a few headaches for the 11 teams on the 2026 grid, with power unit changes and aerodynamic car design tweaks representing the biggest regulations reset since the 2014 season.

Power units are seeing the emphasis on electrical energy tripled, while F1 cars will be smaller, narrower and lighter than in 2025, as the sport hopes to encourage better racing and head towards its goal of carbon neutrality by 2030.

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These new regulations have encouraged a new team to get on board, with Cadillac joining as the 11th outfit on the grid. German car manufacturer Audi have also joined F1 for the first time as both a power unit manufacturer and as a works team, taking over the Sauber outfit at the end of 2025.

But in this new era for the sport, which power unit manufacturers are supplying which teams?

Which engine will each team use in F1 2026?

Alongside Audi's debut as a power unit manufacturer, Red Bull are also making their own power units for the first time in partnership with Ford, having parted ways with Honda.

Honda will instead supply the Aston Martin team with power units, as the Silverstone-based outfit look to become a championship-contending team.

Ferrari are another power unit manufacturer in the sport in 2026, and they are supplying the works team, Haas and Cadillac.

The fifth power unit manufacturer is of course Mercedes, who supply the most teams, with McLaren, Williams, Alpine and the works Mercedes team on their list of customers in 2026.

Which engine each F1 team is using in 2026
Team	Engine
Red Bull	Red Bull Powertrains
Racing Bulls	Red Bull Powertrains
Ferrari	Ferrari
Haas	Ferrari
Cadillac	Ferrari
Alpine	Mercedes
Mercedes	Mercedes
Williams	Mercedes
McLaren	Mercedes
Aston Martin	Honda
Audi	Audi

How do the new F1 power units work?

So, we've already established that the emphasis on electrical energy is being tripled in 2026, which means that there is an almost exact 50-50 split between electrical energy and the internal combustion engine.

What's more, the internal combustion engine side of the power unit will be able to run off 100 per cent sustainable fuels.

F1 engines will remain a 1.6-litre V6 turbo hybrid, but the car’s Energy Recovery System (ERS) can now recharge the battery with twice as much energy per lap, as F1 waves goodbye to the MGU-H.

Increased energy will also be made available to help aid overtaking, which will act as a replacement for DRS, which can be utilised when in a battle for position.

The so called 'overtake mode' will be available to drivers who are within one second of the car in front at activation points. These activation points will then trigger more electrical energy to aid overtaking or defence.

Drivers will push a 'Boost' button to activate the mode, but only if they have enough charge of the battery, making the management of the battery and ERS absolutely crucial in 2026. Drivers can use the boost all at once, or spread across a lap.

What is the F1 2026 engine loophole controversy about?

The winter break in F1 has seen controversy shrouding the FIA's new power unit regulations, with reports circling that Mercedes have allegedly found a 'trick' which could be worth up to 0.3 seconds per lap.

The alleged trick regards the geometric compression ratios, with it being reported that Mercedes have found a way for the compression ratio to be at the allowed 16:1 when the engine is stationary, but then increase to the previously allowed 18:1 when moving, something that could allow an extra 15 brake horsepower.

Other power unit manufacturers have reportedly called on the FIA to clarify the new rules regarding geometric compression ratios, while the sport's governing body have confirmed two meetings to be taking place to discuss the matter with technical experts.

FIA single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis recently stated that it was a 'top priority' to ensure that there wouldn't be any protests on the race result at the Australian Grand Prix, wanting to clarify the rules for all teams before the start of the season.

Head of the Audi F1 project Mattia Binotto recently had his say on the alleged 'trick' found by Mercedes, stating: "If that's true, firstly, it certainly makes a significant difference in terms of performance and lap time. That would definitely make a difference when we get to the track and competition."

Meanwhile, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff issued a staunch defence of his team, saying: "I just don’t understand that some teams concentrate more on others and keep arguing a case that is very clear and transparent.

"Communication with the FIA was very positive all along, not only on compression ratio but other things too. Specifically in that area, it’s very clear what the regulations say, what the standard procedures are.

"So just get your s*** together. Doing secret meetings and letters, and inventing ways of testing which don’t exist… I can just say at least from us, we’re trying to minimise distractions and that’s looking more at us, not everybody else."

Written by

Sam Cook - Digital Journalist

Sam Cook is a talented young sports journalist and social media professional who now specialises in Formula 1, having previously worked as a football journalist and a local news reporter for a variety of different brands.

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2026 regulations