The 2026 Formula 1 regulations not only provide for a new look for the racing cars, but also a new drive concept. The crucial questions are: Which drive manufacturers are taking on this technical challenge? And which teams are equipped by which brands? This article provides an overview of the topic Formula 1 drive 2026!
What does the engine format look like for 2026?
The new Formula 1 drive regulations is based on the current engine format. It remains with turbo-hybrid powertrains with 1.6-liter V6 combustion engines and hybrid components. However, the latter will be simplified in 2026 and their importance for the overall performance of the drive will be significantly increased.
In concrete terms, this means: The electrical output of currently 120kW will be increased to 350kW. At the same time, the power of the combustion engine will be reduced from around 550kW to 400kW. This leaves a total system output of around 1,000 hp.
In 2026, the motor-generator unit that captures and converts heat energy (MGU-H) will no longer be there. This simplifies the drive design and reduces overall costs.
Which drive manufacturers will be in Formula 1 in 2026?
In the 2026 Formula 1 season, the following manufacturers will be represented in the field with their own drives: Audi, Ferrari, Honda, Mercedes and Red Bull/Ford. So there are five different powertrains.
Audi will compete in Formula 1 for the first time in 2026 and will appear as an Audi works team. Honda withdrew from Formula 1 at the end of 2021 and will make its comeback as an engine supplier in 2026.
Which current drive manufacturers will no longer be there in 2026?
Renault has decided to stop developing its own powertrains for the Alpine Formula 1 team. From 2026, the French group will no longer be active as a drive manufacturer, but – via the subsidiary brand Alpine – only as a designer.
This marks the end of an era for Renault: the manufacturer had been involved as an engine supplier in Formula 1 since the 1980s and achieved 134 Grand Prix victories during this time. The highlights include the title wins with Williams and Red Bull as well as the 1995 World Cup success with Michael Schumacher and Benetton. (Find out more in the Formula 1 database!)
Which teams will drive with which drive in 2026?
Alpine: Parent company Renault will stop developing its own Formula 1 engines and will no longer be represented in the field with its own engine in 2026. It is not yet known which customer drives the Alpine team will then use.
Aston Martin: For its Formula 1 comeback, the Japanese manufacturer Honda has entered into an exclusive partnership with Aston Martin. This means: Honda will only equip Aston Martin with Formula 1 engines in 2026.
Audi: The German manufacturer Audi is developing its own drives for Formula 1 and will only supply its own Audi factory team (previously: Sauber) with these engines in its debut year of 2026.
Ferrari: The traditional Italian Formula 1 team Ferrari has always built its own engines and will continue to use its own engines in the new rule era from 2026.
Haas: US Team Haas has been a Ferrari customer team since its inception. Nothing will change: Haas has extended the Ferrari engine contract.
McLaren: For 2026, the proven collaboration between the British team McLaren and Mercedes as the German drive manufacturer will remain. The previous contract was extended accordingly.
Mercedes: The German brand Mercedes has always used its own drives in Formula 1. It remains under the new technical regulations.
Racing Bulls: In 2026, the Red Bull Group’s “B Team” will receive self-built drives from Red Bull Powertrains (RBPT), which are being developed in collaboration with Ford, for the first time.
Red Bull: Just like sister team Racing Bulls, Red Bull will be relying on its own engines from 2026, which will be developed and used by Red Bull Powertrains (RBPT).
Williams: The British Formula 1 team Williams has extended its engine partnership with Mercedes for further years, thereby remaining a customer team of the German brand.
Which manufacturers will equip which teams in 2026?
Mercedes (3): McLaren, Mercedes, Williams
Ferrari (2): Ferrari, Haas
Red Bull/Ford (2): Racing Bulls, Red Bull
Audi (1): Audi
Honda (1): Aston Martin
Which teams will change their drive partner for the 2026 season?
Alpine: As a subsidiary of Renault, Alpine has previously used Renault engines in Formula 1. That changes after Renault engine development in Viry-Chatillon comes to an end. It is not yet clear which engine partner Alpine will get in 2026.
Aston Martin: Formula 1 team Aston Martin has previously sourced engines from Mercedes, but is switching to Honda after five years.
Audi: Newcomer Audi will start a new era with the team in 2026, which will have been known as Sauber in Formula 1 until then. Sauber was recently a Ferrari engine customer for many years. In the future, the power will come from Audi drives.
Racing Bulls: So far, Racing Bulls has used the former Honda drives, which were maintained and further developed by Red Bull Powertrains. In 2026, the team will switch to completely in-house development from Red Bull/Ford.
Red Bull: In 2026, Red Bull will also be taking the step away from Honda engines towards the self-developed drives from Red Bull Powertrains/Ford.
How long have the teams been with their drive partners?
From 2026: Alpine (still open)
AB 2026: Aston Martin (Honda)
Ab 2026: Audi
Ab 2026: Racing Bulls (Red Bull)
Ab 2026: Red Bull
Since 2021: McLaren (Mercedes), until 2030
Since 2016: Haas (Ferrari), until 2028
Since 2014: Williams (Mercedes), until at least 2030
Since 2010: Mercedes
Since 1950: Ferrari
