(Motorsport-Total.com) – Even though there will be brand new engines in Formula 1 in 2026, one thing has not changed: this year, teams and drivers again have to manage their engine parts.
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This works similarly to previous years: each driver is allocated a certain quota of engine parts, which are divided into different elements that differ slightly from the previous year. If he exceeds the quota, he receives a penalty for the next race.
Overall, the power unit in 2026 is divided into seven elements, for which a quota is set in Article B8.2.2 of the regulations. However, Article B8.2.3 also stipulates that each driver is allowed one additional component per element in 2026.
Thus, for the 2026 Formula 1 season, the following are allowed: four internal combustion engines (ICE), four turbochargers, four exhaust systems, three energy stores, three control electronics units, three MGU-Ks, and six ancillary components of the power unit each.
For the latter, Appendix C4 contains a whole table listing what is included: among other things, water, oil, and fuel pumps, components in the intake system, wastegate valves, oil tanks, ERS cooling systems, or components from the hydraulic system.
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The MGU-H has been discontinued since this season.
If a driver uses more engine parts than allowed, Article B8.2.8 threatens a grid penalty: ten grid places for the first additional element, five grid places for each further additional element.
Collecting engine parts is not possible, by the way: if two identical elements are changed with a penalty at an event, only the last used component may be used penalty-free in the future.
Gearbox without limit
In recent years, the gearbox was also subject to restrictions for a long time. Drivers initially had to complete a certain number of races with one gearbox before a quota system was also introduced. However, this was completely overturned in 2025 with the reasoning: “The reliability of current designs makes a regulation obsolete.”
Under the new 2026 regulations, no restriction is set either. Thus, drivers can use as many gearboxes as they want.
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| Driver | Grand Prix | Engine parts | Number | Penalty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norris | Belgium | Control electronics | 4 of 3 | +10 places |
| Hadjar | Miami | Energy store | 4 of 3 | Start from the pit lane |
| Control electronics | 4 of 3 | |||
| Belgium | Engine | 5 of 4 | End of the field | |
| Turbocharger | 5 of 4 | |||
| Exhaust | 5 of 4 | |||
| Alonso | Barcelona | Energy store | 4 of 3 | Start from the pit lane |
| Control electronics | 4 of 3 | |||
| MGU-K | 4 of 3 | |||
| Belgium | Energy store | 5 of 3 | End of the field | |
| Control electronics | 5 of 3 | |||
| Ancillary components | 7 of 6 | |||
| Stroll | Canada | Energy store | 4 of 3 | Start from the pit lane |
| Control electronics | 4 of 3 | |||
| Great Britain | Energy store | 5 of 3 | +10 places | |
| Control electronics | 5 of 3 | |||
| Belgium | MGU-K | 4 of 3 | +10 places |
