The technical support programme between Red Bull Powertrains and Honda Racing Corporation extends to the end of 2025. In 2026, Red Bull Powertrains will run a power unit developed in collaboration with American automotive giant Ford which will work with RBPT to develop the next-generation hybrid power unit and supply power units to Oracle Red Bull Racing and Scuderia AlphaTauri. 2026 will see that the 1600 cc, 90-degree V6 architecture remains unchanged, with a similar RPM limit. However, fundamental changes to the formulae include the removal of the MGU-H, an increase in output for the MGU-K and much tighter constraints on internal combustion engine design.
The internal combustion engine (ICE) will run on 100% sustainable fuel by 2026, which must be sourced from non-food bio sources, municipal waste or certified carbon capture schemes. The technical regulations specify that the fuel energy flow rate must not exceed 3000MJ/h, which equates to approximately 65kg/h, compared to the current fuel flow rate of 100kg/h. However, the FIA has reduced the fuel flow rate in a bid to reduce ICE output to approximately 400kW (536bhp), representing an approximately 35% drop in performance compared to the engines of the current era. The MGU-H absence will necessitate a complete redesign of the ICE as the combustion regime of the existing engines is permitted by the charge air control the MGU-H provides.
The rules will provide greater freedom for combustion system design but will outlaw features such as variable inlet trumpets on cost control grounds. The bottom-end components of the internal combustion engine – reciprocating parts, pumps and other ancillaries – will be subject to much more restricted designs. The FIA will also enforce the standardisation of components such as injectors and many engine sensors. Additionally, the FIA will open the authorised materials list to exclude many high-cost options.
MGU-K peak output will increase to 350kW, with full power permitted up to around 300km/h. After that speed, the regulations specify the following equation for deployment: P(kW)=1850 – [5 x car speed (km/h)] when the car speed is below 340km/h; at or above 340km/h, the rules limit MGU-K power to 150kW. The MGU-K will also have to be mounted within the battery volume in the chassis to ensure all high-voltage cables are within the car’s main crash structure.
The Red Bull Ford deal is a long-term strategic technical partnership which will continue until at least 2030. The FIA states that the 2026 regulations are as such to increase the road relevance of the energy recovery and electrical components, with battery cell chemistry and technology open to development; there is a non-exclusivity provision in the rules here. This is where Red Bull Ford’s power unit will draw on Ford’s EV knowledge and depth of resources, including battery cell, electric motor technology and power unit control software and analytics.
