How each regulation era reshaped the sport — from banned driver aids in 1994 to active aero in 2026.
The Electric Revolution
The MGU-K nearly triples in output to 350kW, making electric power responsible for roughly half the car's total drive. The MGU-H is dropped entirely — a deliberate move to lower the barrier to entry for new manufacturers like Audi, Ford (via Red Bull Powertrains), and potentially Cadillac. DRS is gone, replaced by active aerodynamic elements on both the front and rear wings (FIA X-mode and Z-mode), giving drivers push-to-pass at any point on track rather than in fixed zones. Cars shed 30 kg and run on fully sustainable fuel from race one.
Configuration
V6
Capacity
1.6L
Aspiration
Turbo-Hybrid (no MGU-H)
Power
~1000 hp (50% electric)
MGU-K Output
120kW
350kW (~3x increase)
Hybrid System
MGU-K + MGU-H
MGU-K only (MGU-H removed)
Power Split
~70% ICE / 30% electric
~50% ICE / 50% electric
Overtaking Aid
DRS (rear wing only, fixed zones)
Active aero X-mode/Z-mode (front + rear, driver-controlled)
Minimum Weight
798 kg
768 kg (−30 kg)
Fuel
E10 blend (10% sustainable)
100% sustainable fuel
Car Width
2,000 mm
Narrower overall width
Front Wing
Complex multi-element
Simplified fewer elements
Over-wheel Winglets
Present
Removed
PU Cost Cap
None
Introduced for the first time
New Manufacturers
—
Audi (confirmed), Ford via RBPT, Cadillac (pending)
