What are the 2026 F1 engines like? MGU-K, no MGU-H and sustainable fuel
The turbo V6 stays, but the MGU-H disappears, the MGU-K triples its power and the fuel becomes 100% sustainable. What changes in the power unit.
Summary
- The 1.6-litre turbo V6 stays, but the MGU-H is removed.
- The MGU-K (the electric motor) goes from 120 to 350 kW: the electrical part goes from ~20% of the power to aiming for ~50%.
- The fuel is 100% sustainable, tied to F1's net-zero emissions target for 2030.
- 1
What stays
The 1.6-litre turbo V6 remains the combustion engine, with a few tweaks.
- 2
What grows: the MGU-K
The electric motor goes from 120 kW to 350 kW. And the energy recovered under braking doubles, to around 8.5 megajoules per lap.
- 3
More electric, not exactly 50/50
F1 says the electrical part used to give around 20% of the power and that the 2026 goal is to get close to 50%. In practice, the combustion engine still provides most of the power over a lap.
- 4
What goes: the MGU-H
The MGU-H, which recovered energy from the heat of the turbo's exhaust gases, disappears from the 2026 units.
- 5
Sustainable fuel
The cars run on 100% sustainable fuel, one piece of F1's net-zero emissions goal for 2030.
Top speeds of the latest race
The fastest drivers by top speed in the latest race with data: what the power unit delivers on the straight.
Did you get it?
Glossary
- MGU-K
- An electric motor-generator linked to the crankshaft: it recovers energy under braking and returns it as extra power. In 2026 it goes from 120 to 350 kW.
- MGU-H
- A motor-generator that recovered energy from the heat of the turbo's exhaust gases. It disappears from the 2026 power units.
- Active aerodynamics
- Front and rear wings that move on their own between a low-drag position (straights) and a high-downforce one (corners). One of the 2026 novelties.
Sources
- The 2026 unit keeps the 1.6-litre turbo V6 but removes the MGU-H; the MGU-K goes from 120 to 350 kW. Formula1.com · 2026 regulations explained: all you need to know about F1's new power units
- Previously the electrical part contributed around 20% of the power and the 2026 goal is to get close to 50%; one analysis qualifies that the real split will not be exactly 50/50. The Race · F1 2026's new engine rules explained
- The energy recovered under braking doubles, to around 8.5 megajoules per lap, and the fuel becomes 100% sustainable (net-zero emissions target in 2030). The Race · F1 2026's new engine rules explained
Sources checked on 18 October 2026. Valid for: 2026 regulations. The explanations are popular-level: for the exact rules, check the FIA sporting regulations.
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