From 2026, every Formula 1 power unit manufacturer will be required to submit a complete technical dossier before hitting the track. The documentation must detail all components listed in Appendix C4 of the technical regulations, including the internal combustion engine (ICE), power unit control electronics (PU-CE), exhaust system (EXH), turbocharger (TC), Energy Store (ES, the battery), and MGU-K.
This is not just a simple list of parts. Each manufacturer must provide technical specifications, functional explanations, and a comprehensive inventory of even the minor components associated with each element of the power unit, supported by additional documentation. Once submitted, the FIA will have up to 14 days to review and approve the design. After approval, units will be sealed to prevent unauthorized modifications and to simplify compliance checks.
Some components considered “consumables,” such as filters, spark plugs, coils, or sensors, will remain unsealed, but only within strictly defined regulatory limits. Without homologation, no power unit may be used in the 2026 World Championship.
Customer teams: identical specifications for everyone
A single engine supplier can provide multiple teams, but the homologation dossier will be unique and valid for all customer teams. This ensures that every power unit is identical in terms of technical specifications, control software, and operational modes.
The manufacturer must also guarantee identical fuel and oil specifications for all customer teams. Alternative suppliers can be requested, but any choice must be officially declared in the homologation dossier.
To avoid imbalances between works teams and customers, engine suppliers must share key information, including physical interfaces for chassis integration, estimated operational parameters such as heat dissipation and structural rigidity, and any limitations or specific procedures. Teams racing in 2026 must receive this data by August 1, 2025.
Updates and development: limited but not frozen
The new five-year regulatory cycle defines specific windows for performance-related upgrades. Development will be more restricted than in the past, but not completely frozen.
Modifications for reliability reasons are allowed, subject to consultation with the FIA and other manufacturers to ensure they are not disguised performance improvements. Minor changes to wiring, wastegate positioning, turbochargers, intake systems, or valves may be approved, provided the base architecture remains unchanged.
Every modification requires the submission of an updated dossier at least 14 days before its race debut, with version numbers and changes clearly highlighted. The system is designed to guarantee technical transparency and eliminate gray areas in an era where competitive balance will increasingly depend on the efficiency and reliability of the new power units.
These stringent homologation rules signal a new chapter in Formula 1 where technical transparency is no longer optional. By forcing manufacturers to reveal their hand to the FIA months in advance and ensuring that customer teams receive truly identical hardware, the sport is moving toward a more level playing field. In a world where every gram of weight and every millivolt of energy recovery could decide the championship, these “locked” dossiers ensure that the battle is won through superior engineering from day one, rather than mid-season development loopholes.
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