(Motorsport-Total.com) – Petronas has received approval for the sustainable fuel that will power the Mercedes power units in the 2026 Formula 1 season. At the last minute, the department of the Malaysian group responsible for the Formula 1 program received the necessary certification for participation in the World Championship.
Read more Curfew lifted: FIA reacts to chaos before F1 start
The process was completed on the eve of the Melbourne weekend. The new homologation procedure introduced for sustainable fuels is significantly more complex than the procedure that applied to previous types of gasoline.
Until 2025, fuels were tested and certified in an FIA-approved laboratory. Manufacturers sent in a sample and received the results within about twenty days. From this season, however, the process has become much more elaborate.
Manufacturers started preparations early, but in the event of problems, significantly longer waiting times now loom. The FIA has transferred the certification to an external organization that not only tests the final product but also monitors the entire manufacturing process.
From this season, the entire production chain will therefore be controlled. The certification body’s personnel go directly to the production facilities to ensure that every single phase meets the criteria set by the FIA.
Read more Why media reports are weighing on the Ferrari team
In addition, the certifications of the numerous individual components are checked, including those from any suppliers within the supply chain. If even one of these certifications is missing, the fuel – even if it meets the technical specifications – cannot be homologated.
Petronas and Mercedes have not commented on the process, but the delay in homologation seems to be due to missing certificates that were required to complete the procedure.
In addition to their own factory team, Alpine, McLaren, and Williams will also run with Mercedes power units in 2026.