Honda Power Unit Hardware & Software

[Bill]

Does Mercedes have the most powerful engine or is the McLaren chassis/aero just superior to others?

Any websites that have info on power numbers for the engines?

I've read rumors that Honda might be behind on the 2026 engine, is this true?

They do not. All engines are within 1-2%. Considering how at terminal speed the cars are consuming 750-800hp in aero drag, and a small aero change is worth more in “consuming” horsepower than there are differences in the PU’s, aero is the overriding factor. *

Any websites that do are just guesses. But generally the PU’s are in the neighborhood of 800bhp (flywheel). Source

Rumors are just that. Anyone can make anything up and call it a rumor.

* remember, in F1 the way to go faster is you make the PU more powerful to add downforce (which is subsequently drag). If you look, F1 cars have been seeing terminal velocities near the same for decades, however, current F1 cars produce a lot more downforce. That downforce comes at the expense of more drag. If you look at estimated / published drag numbers of former F1 cars, they have about the same aero drag as a cargo van / box truck.

if Mercedes has the most powerful pu why is Mercedes team not winning consistently, applying a little bit of imagination will answer your question.

[etusch]

Does Mercedes have the most powerful engine or is the McLaren chassis/aero just superior to others?

Any websites that have info on power numbers for the engines?

I've read rumors that Honda might be behind on the 2026 engine, is this true?

When F1 start using a set of tyres for whole race in 2005, dominant race car of 2004 left behind suddenly. Ferrari used updated version of the 2004 car for a few races. So not much difference with the car and especially with the engines. So, we can say that most affective performance differentiator was tyres that year. Michelin's tyres were better than Bridgestone. I also think same thing for 2004 years too. I think 2004 Bar Honda car was good enough to fight with 2004 Ferrari car for the WCC. but Bridgestone tyres were better. This is why they cannot fight in the level of car.

When you look this year's qualifications, 4 team's cars are close, they are close even at first laps. But then McLaren starts to putt its advantage, tyre managements. If all other things are in same level, then what is better than others make difference. If it is engine, engine, if tyres, or if downforce.
I read somethings saying Redbull is good fast turns but not good at slow ones. Many variables.

[Tommy Cookers]

the above is very nice etc but ....
the engine maker's idea of 50% thermal efficiency is via the conventional representation and strictly that is fakery
because they use a false measure of the fuel's energy content - the Lower Heating Value LHV
this ignores eg the latent heat trapped in the water vapour and dumped in the exhaust process
so the '50% efficient' gasoline-fuelled engine is truly about 46% efficient
and a '50% efficient' hydrogen-fuelled engine is truly about 42% efficient

the heating industry uses the same false energy accounting ....
and heating systems that recover such latent heat are presented via these (legal but false) counts as eg 105% efficient