As Formula 1 prepares for the 2026 season, fuel restrictions and the push for sustainability will bring the biggest changes to F1 power units in the last 25 years. According to the head of Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains, however, all teams will eventually converge in performance levels.
The 2026 F1 cars will handle energy differently, with all power generated by the MGU-K, but there is another key factor that could define performance and efficiency, at least in the opening rounds of the season.
That factor is the fuel itself. From January 1, 2026, F1 teams will use completely new fuels, 100% sustainable, replacing those used during the 2025 season and the ground-effect era, which concluded at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
While these sustainable fuels are expensive—much higher than expected—teams are concerned because the costs are not counted under the Budget Cap for the season. “Fuel costs will be outside the budget cap, at least most of them, but they still need to be financed, so teams need to find revenue,” explained Ayao Komatsu.
Beyond costs, the new fuels will be crucial for ensuring competitive performance from the next-generation power units. Hywel Thomas, director at Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains, highlighted the potential performance impact of these eco-friendly fuels.
“I think fuels could be a real performance factor, especially early on. There might be a difference in performance at first, but everyone will probably reach a similar stage at some point. I’m not sure if that will happen before the first race or later,” said Thomas.
“An interesting point, which I’m not sure is fully appreciated, is that if you set aside sustainability requirements, fuel regulations have changed more this year than probably in the last 25 years. This is a completely new formulation, and it must also be sustainable. All fuel companies deserve huge credit for this.”
Although designed for F1, these fuels are now closer to the gasoline used in road cars than ever before. However, this doesn’t mean we’ll see them at our local petrol stations anytime soon.
“I don’t have precise octane data yet,” Thomas added. “But they have imposed stricter fuel rules to make it more similar to what you find at the pump. Octane numbers and other elements are much closer to road car fuel, so some things we could do in the past, we can’t do anymore.”
FIA single-seater technical director Nikolas Tombazis emphasized, “There are parameters related to energy content, evaporation characteristics, and other fuel components, all closer to road car fuels. However, we don’t expect F1 fuel to appear in a production car the following year due to costs. Production costs need to decrease first.”
Fuel producers have been free to choose the type of fuel, whether synthetic or biofuel, as long as they meet FIA specifications. Recent months have seen significant R&D costs to ensure a product that is both efficient and capable of providing the necessary power for the internal combustion engine.
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