Formula 1 faces rising costs to maintain TPC testing system amid 2026 engine shake-up. F1 teams face rising TPC testing costs outside the budget cap.

The multiple engine changes coming in 2026 require a revision of TPC testing, adding extra expenses that fall outside the budget cap.

The engine shake-up that will hit Formula 1 from 2026 brings with it a side effect that has only now, rather late, been addressed: the sharp rise in costs for private testing programs. The FIA has found a solution to ensure operational continuity, but the price to pay will be high.

TPC: a system under pressure
Just as half of the grid is set to change engine partners, a complex technical paradox emerges. The cars used for TPC (Test Previous Cars) sessions – tests with single-seaters at least two years old – will still be equipped with engines from previous commercial partners. A logistical maze that risked compromising programs now considered essential by the teams. These tests have evolved significantly in recent years. Initially meant to promote young drivers, they are now technical development laboratories.

F1 – Tighter mileage limits for TPC
The increasingly aggressive use of these opportunities has forced the Federation to step in. The new rules impose a 1,000-kilometer seasonal limit for race drivers during TPC sessions, aiming to bring activity back to its original scope. However, the real challenge comes with the 2026 engine landscape. Sauber-Audi will leave Ferrari to become self-sufficient; Aston Martin will switch from Mercedes to Honda, while Red Bull and its sister team will debut with an internally developed power unit. Alpine will close its chapter with Mercedes, as already known.

F1, TPC: the Federation’s compromise
Negotiations have led to a costly solution. The FIA has mandated a two-year obligation for all engine manufacturers: they must continue supplying current specifications even after ending commercial relationships. This ensures continuity and avoids the collapse of TPC programs.

The critical issue is the lack of price controls. Since these expenses are excluded from the budget cap, suppliers are free to set their own prices. Some are already taking advantage of this freedom aggressively. Early reports from the Belgian paddock – as reported by Autosport – reveal an unpromising reality. At least one manufacturer has already informed its soon-to-be former clients of a 100% increase compared to current financial terms. In simple terms: double the purchase cost.

Despite the significant impact on budgets, the paddock seems to accept this philosophically. “Expenses excluded from the budget cap are no longer an area of particular focus for cost control,” explained an anonymous team executive.

The big unknown in this picture concerns Renault’s strategy, as a total shutdown of the Viry-Châtillon facility could be on the horizon. In that case, a solution tailored to Alpine’s needs would have to be found. This issue has not yet been addressed, pending developments from France.