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Formula 1 needs “to keep the cost under control,” claims Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur ahead of the introduction of the heavily-revamped power unit formula in 2026.
Although there are still eight races to complete this season, teams have already begun their preparing for Formula 1’s technical overhaul which will lead to all-new cars in 2026.
The basic architecture of F1’s hybrid power was introduced back in 2014. It is a turbocharged 1.6 litre V6 engine, complemented by an exceptionally efficient energy recovery system.
This is split into two parts: the MGU-K (motor-generator unit – kinetic) is similar to the technology used by road-going hybrids, harvesting energy when the car brakes; the MGU-H (motor-generator unit – heat) is powered by the stream of hot exhaust gases, generating electrical energy from the turbocharger when it’s not being used to pressurise engine air.
The 2026 regulations simplify F1’s power units by doing away with the MGU-H. Its loss is compensated by a much more potent MGU-K. The amount of electrical power that can be generated is rising from 120kW to 350kW, while the amount of energy being recovered under braking will double, to around 8.5 megajoules per lap.
In addition, from 2026, Formula 1 will switch to 100% sustainable fuel, but the expected price increase is far higher than current levels. Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur has stressed that the sport needs to keep in mind how big of a step it will be to switch to sustainable fuel.
Asked how the engines that came in in 2014 will be remembered in F1, Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur said: “Not so much to add. It’s true the perception is probably completely different between 2014 and today. Today, we have huge convergence of performance—it’s not anymore a huge performance gap anymore.
“We have everybody in the ballpark. That was not the case in 2014. It’s a good thing in F1 that we have this kind of continuity in development and convergence of performance.
“In terms of technology, we’ve reached a very high point today with this engine. But we have to keep the cost under control and avoid arrogance,” the Frenchman continued.
“As F1 in general, you are there for a couple of years now, and you have seen the ups and downs in F1. It’s not because we’re successful today that we don’t have to be careful about keeping things under control.”
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