Alpine, Audi, Ferrari, Honda, Red Bull Ford, Mercedes-AMG are V6 Power Unit Suppliers for Formula One in 2026

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com Alpine, Audi, Ferrari, Honda, Red Bull Ford, Mercedes-AMG are V6 Power Unit Suppliers for Formula One in 2026

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The FIA today confirmed that six manufacturers have registered as Power Unit Suppliers for the 2026-2030 seasons of the FIA Formula One World Championship (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile). The list raises several questions.

AutoInformed suspects that we will ultimately hear from General Motors and Honda, perhaps as suppliers to the New Andretti Formula One Team that is currently under FIA consideration. Also will Aston Martin stay with Mercedes? And who will Audi supply or will it just be the factory team? Sauber is the current selected future strategic partner for Audi’s campaign in the FIA Formula 1 World Championship from 2026 onwards. (autoinformed.com on: GM, Andretti Global to Seek Formula One Cadillac Entry)

“The confirmation that there will be six Power Unit manufacturers competing in Formula 1 from 2026 is testament to the strength of the championship and the robust technical regulations that have been diligently created by the FIA in close collaboration with Formula 1 and the Power Unit manufacturers,” said  FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

“The Power Unit is at the forefront of technological innovation, making the future of Formula 1 more sustainable while maintaining the spectacular racing. I am grateful for the confidence of world-leading automotive manufacturers demonstrated by their commitment to Formula 1,” Sulayem concluded.

The Power Unit Suppliers

  • Alpine Racing
  • Audi
  • Ferrari S.p.A.
  • Honda Racing Corporation
  • Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains Ltd.
  • Red Bull Ford (Red Bull Powertrains and Ford will supply engines to both Oracle Red Bull Racing and Scuderia AlphaTauri teams from 2026 to at least 2030

“Ford’s return to Formula 1 with Red Bull Racing is all about where we are going as a company– increasingly electric, software-defined, modern vehicles and experiences,” said Jim Farley, President and CEO, Ford Motor Company. “F1 will be an incredibly cost-effective platform to innovate, share ideas and technologies, and engage with tens of millions of new customers.”

The FIA said the 2026 framework is designed to:

  • Maintaining the spectacle – the 2026 Power Unit will have similar performance to the current designs, utilizing high-power, high-revving V6 internal combustion engines and avoiding excessive performance differentiation to allow for improved race-ability.
  • Environmental sustainability – the 2026 Power Unit will include an increase in the deployment of electrical power close to 50% and utilize a 100% sustainable fuel.
  • Financial Sustainability – Financial Regulations regarding the Power Units will reduce the overall costs for competitors whilst retaining the cutting-edge technological showcase that is at the core of Formula 1.

Cost Cap level (adjusted for Indexation) is set at $95 million for the Reporting Periods 2022-2025; at $130 million from 2026 onward.

Exclusion of Costs

Main categories of cost incurred by PU Manufacturers excluded from the calculation of Relevant Costs are the following:

  • Marketing and Heritage Assets Activities.
  • Depreciation, Finance costs, Taxation, Foreign exchange losses.
  • HR Activities, Finance Activities and Legal Activities.
  • Health & Safety costs.
  • Non-Power Unit
  • Manufacture and servicing of Power Unit leased to Customer Teams.
  • Current Generation (2023-2025) Power Unit Activities.

Energy Recovery System (ERS)

The ERS will be increased in power to 350kW. This will remain a key area of competition between the PU Manufacturers, with an emphasis on energy flow management to achieve the key objectives of spectacle, increased hybridization and similar overall performance to the current PU.

  • Regulations will aim to increase the road-relevance of the cells, power electronics and MGUK.
  • Cells will be an area of development, but their supply will have non-exclusivity provisions to contain a potential cost escalation.
  • Design constraints to improve ERS safety and the ability to police have been mandated.
  • Controls have been introduced that either limit or require recycling of critical materials.
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