Why Are 2026 Formula 1 Engines Going To Lose So Much Power?

Everything you need to know about the 2026 Formula 1 engines & power units!

Formula 1 will see a major shake-up in 2026 as it moves to new power units and all new engine regulations. The overhaul will see combustion engine power drop, while the electric motor power will be increase significantly, nearly three times! This will dramatically change the way the vehicles perform, and how teams will develop winning strategies.

We'll discuss the big picture items, like how fuel flow rate will be changing from mass flow to energy flow, how the fuel chemistry will be changing, sustainable fuels, the MGU-K & MGU-H (or lack thereof), the energy allotments per lap, and what this all means for straight line speed. We'll also look at the newly introduced airflow limits, and discuss the implications this may have on air/fuel ratios.

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[EngineeringExplained]

Also I'd like to thank my graphic at 9:00 for helping to secure Leclerc's pole position today once again in Baku - congrats!

[daniel.s.stefanov]

Each year my car gets closer and closer to an F1 car, and I've spent $0 on upgrades! Thanks, FIA!

[Mr.Marbles]

Cant wait for the 800cc inline 3 200hp season in 2030

[brkbtjunkie]

Soon they’ll be mandated to just play 50cc Mario kart with a sticky controller.

[brrrake]

I really think active aero is coming because the level of aerodynamic drag we have now with reduced full power as a function of the increased power still with 4MJ swing... I'm very unexcited about '26. Great explanation!

[LupinYonderboy]

What annoys me is the hybrid era is in the name of reduced emissions. If they really wanted to reduce F1 emissions, they'd have fewer races in the season! By far the biggest polution in F1 comes from shipping the whole circus from country to country. We could have kept the V10s and knocked a few races off the calendar and had a greener, more exciting sport overall.

[nimblybimbly]

I like a conclusion like that. When you're using real data and actual science sometimes the results aren't a great soundbite.

[SatanDotExe]

I feel like we all know this but nobody seems to have written it. They're making the cars more "green" for two reasons in my opinion:
1) To improve brand image, ultimately for profit.
2) F1 is often a playground for new technology development for road cars. These new cars might have technologies which benefit traditional cars, although unlikely.
I also agree that it's pointless really in the grand scheme of things.

[vickarch]

Excellent explanation of the upcoming rules for F1 power unit. Many give the changes point by point, but are unable to explain, quantify, and compare. Thank you.

[MarioDallaRiva]

My only F1 race in person was in 1989 Montreal. I heard the Ferrari 3500 NA V12 before seeing it visually as it took to the back straight after the hairpin.
Still makes the hairs on my neck stand up thinking obout that sound and seeing Berger suspension sparking off the surface of the track.
The sound experience is unforgettable. The old days of F1 ahh

[abnfalcon]

I just cannot imagine how the future of F1 will look like after that. Seeing Crazy Aero Jets running on the tracks with scooter engines

[wild_lee_coyote]

I think the min air temp and max pressure is to try and close some loopholes someone discovered. Maybe using the turbo pressure as a simple air pump that can be used to run the engine briefly on no fuel. The air temp may be for preventing teams from using cryogenic air to super cool the inter coolers in the pits before going on track, especially for qualifying. Some rules are to prevent edge cases and loopholes that F1 engineers are famous for finding

[gottliebdee]

Engineering Explained.
Has to be in the top 5 of YouTube channels.
Well done Jason.

[reilandeubank]

My guess for why all of these rules exist (not just the air but everything together) is to really put a limit on exactly how much can be thrown into the engine; we know teams are chasing power gains, and by putting hard ceilings on fuel AND air, it almost requires engineers to put work into thermal efficiency gains and electric power gains, which i'm guessing is what Liberty wants from F1

[redmini]

Interesting video!

You should make a video about engine sound in general, like, what gives each engine its characteristic sound (four, five, six, eight, ten, etc. pot engines) and the components that contribute to engine/exhaust notes.

Please 😉

[Danikonaranjo]

Can't enjoy more your explanations, thank you very much 4 your content.

[alpanex]

13:46 : the engines may very well be running around λ~3. The pre-chamber allows them to do so with a closer-to-stoichiometry mixture inside it and a much leaner mixture in the main cylinder, way beyond the flammability limits for gasoline/E20, as you already indicated, which can however ignite this time due to the jets bursting out of that pre-chamber. The beauty of TJI it is! 😊

[Burgo]

F1 rules often feel arbitrary and confusing, I think they just like to mess with us.

[EvanCalder]

F1 is the pinnacle of automotive engineering. I think the point of having them play around with green tech is getting those engineers developing technologies that could one day go into your fuel efficient car. You could allow bigger engines with big turbos but is that relevant anymore.

[jitinvp]

Thank you for this explanation! Really enjoyed it