F1 has committed itself in the next rules cycle from 2026 to turbo hybrid power units that will run on fully sustainable fuel.
One of the big changes from now, though, will be an increased reliance on battery power, with there being a rough 50/50 split between electrical and internal combustion engine power.
F1 is well aware that it needs to be at the forefront of battery technology development to keep the interest of road car makers, who are shifting towards fully electrical cars.
However, longer term, grand prix racing could also make the switch to hydrogen power if it proves suitable for racing – with F1 and the FIA having recently joined Extreme E’s sister series Extreme H in forming a working group to evaluate the technology.
The future of F1 power units is not certain right now, but the FIA’s head of single-seater matters Nikolas Tombazis says what is critical is having rules that offer value to manufacturers.
“The step for 2026 is defined, but what we do in the next step afterwards is still up for discussion,” Tombazis told selected media including Autosport.
“There are a lot of options still on the table; whether it is more sustainable efuels, whether it is hydrogen – in which we have quite a lot of work happening in the FIA – or whether it is more electrical.
“But we always want to remain relevant to what the OEMs that are participating want to do.
Source: Autosport