The new technical regulations for the 2026 Formula 1 season require teams to run fully sustainable fuel, and Ferrari has now explained the reasoning behind its strategic choice.
New rules, new cars, new Power Units and also a new generation of fuel. The 2026 Formula 1 season represents a genuine technical revolution. Every team on the grid has had to deal with significant regulatory changes, prompting extensive research, development and simulation work in order to achieve the best possible performance outcome.
One decision that should not be underestimated concerns the choice of fuel supplier. In a video published on its official social media channels and YouTube platform, Ferrari outlined why it has decided to continue its partnership with Shell as it prepares for this new era of Formula 1.
The new fuel for 2026
Ferrari released a third in-depth technical video dedicated to analysing specific aspects of the 2026 regulations. This episode focused on the new sustainable Shell fuel. Enrico Gualtieri, Technical Director Power Unit at Scuderia Ferrari HP, explained: “Certainly, the 2026 fuel will definitely be a factor when it comes to performance. Specifically, it will be a formula based on efficiency. The fuel is at the beginning of the electrical transformation chain and for this reason it will certainly be one of the keys that makes the difference in performance.”
Selda Gunsel, Chief Technology Officer and Executive Vice President Technology at Shell Group, also addressed some of the key technical aspects of the new fuel: “The new regulation requires the use of fuel derived from advanced sustainable biomass. Our new Shell V-Power is fully aligned with the new regulation.”
Gualtieri then highlighted some of the major changes introduced for 2026 compared to the previous generation of power units: “What has really changed for 2026 is the opportunity, together with our partner Shell, to have a fuel that can combine and unite the physical properties required by the engine, in line with what the new regulation demands.”
The new fuel for the 2026 Formula 1 season must comply with strict criteria. “The new fuel must meet rigid standards. It cannot be derived from food sources, it must guarantee a low impact on land use and it must be traceable.”
According to Gualtieri, fuel will play a more decisive role than ever before in the competitive landscape of Formula 1. “More than ever, fuel and engine work together. Optimising one of the two elements will be crucial not only for the individual performance of the component but for the overall performance of the Ferrari Power Unit.”
With the 2026 regulations placing even greater emphasis on energy efficiency and sustainability, Ferrari believes that mastering the interaction between sustainable fuel and hybrid technology could prove to be the true ace up its sleeve in the fight for performance under the sport’s new technical framework.
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