What engines will F1 teams use during the 2026 season?

F1 Grand Prix, GP Singapore, Marina Bay Street Circuit

Ahead of the arrival of the all-new power unit regulations in 2026, F1Technical's senior writer Balazs Szabo summarizes what engines the eleven teams will use throughout the coming championship.

As Formula One prepares for the introduction of its radically revised 2026 power unit regulations, the competitive landscape of engine supply is undergoing its most significant reshuffle in over a decade.

With increased electrical output, the removal of the MGU H, and the adoption of fully sustainable fuels, five manufacturers will power the grid — including two new partnerships and one all new in house project.

Red Bull enters 2026 as both a championship contender and a first time engine manufacturer. The Red Bull Ford Powertrains project represents a major strategic shift, bringing engine development under the team’s direct control for the first time.

The unit is being developed at the Milton Keynes powertrain campus with Ford providing expertise in battery technology, electric motor efficiency, and combustion research.

For Red Bull, the move is about long term independence: no more reliance on external suppliers, no more political uncertainty, and full integration between chassis and power unit. The team expects the new engine to be a cornerstone of its competitive identity for the next decade.

RB will run the same Red Bull Ford power unit as its senior team, maintaining the close technical alignment that has defined the partnership since the Toro Rosso days.

The Faenza based squad benefits from shared development cycles, common installation architecture, and unified software strategies — all crucial under the more electrically demanding 2026 rules.

For RB, the new power unit offers stability and a clear development pathway, allowing the team to focus on aerodynamics and mechanical grip rather than engine integration challenges.

Ferrari continues as a full works team with its own power unit, entering 2026 with a renewed focus on electrical efficiency and combustion performance. The Scuderia has invested heavily in its Maranello engine division, particularly in MGU K deployment strategies and sustainable fuel combustion mapping.

Ferrari’s 2026 unit is expected to feature a compact turbo layout and a highly efficient energy recovery system designed to maximise the new 350 kW electrical output limit. As one of the few teams building both chassis and engine entirely in house, Ferrari sees 2026 as an opportunity to regain technical leadership.

Haas will continue its long-standing customer relationship with Ferrari, receiving the same power unit specification as the works team. The American outfit benefits from Ferrari’s installation guidance and cooling architecture, which is especially important under the new regulations that place greater thermal load on the battery and MGU K.

Haas’ challenge will be integrating the more complex hybrid system into a chassis developed largely in Banbury, but the team’s familiarity with Ferrari hardware should ease the transition.

Mercedes remains one of the most experienced engine manufacturers in the sport, and its 2026 power unit is expected to be a major technical statement.

The Brixworth engine division has spent years preparing for the removal of the MGU H, focusing on turbocharger response, battery density, and high-efficiency electrical deployment.

Mercedes’ works team will be the primary development platform, with the power unit designed to integrate seamlessly with the team’s aerodynamic philosophy. After a challenging period in the early 2020s, Mercedes sees 2026 as a reset point.

McLaren extends its partnership with Mercedes into the new era, valuing the reliability and competitive baseline the German manufacturer provides.

The Woking team has invested heavily in simulation tools and power unit integration facilities, allowing it to tailor cooling, packaging, and energy deployment strategies to its own aerodynamic concept. McLaren’s strong recent form makes the Mercedes partnership a stable foundation for continued progress under the new rules.

Williams also continues with Mercedes power, maintaining a relationship that has lasted since 2014. The Grove team benefits from Mercedes’ proven hybrid systems and software, which will be even more critical in 2026 when electrical deployment becomes a larger share of total lap time.

Williams’ focus will be on optimising chassis efficiency and reducing drag to complement the power unit’s characteristics, especially given the new active aerodynamics allowed under the regulations.

Aston Martin begins a new chapter in 2026 with Honda as its works engine partner. Honda’s return as a full supplier marks a significant shift, especially after its successful collaboration with Red Bull.

The Japanese manufacturer has deep expertise in hybrid systems and energy deployment, which will be crucial under the new rules. Aston Martin will benefit from a fully integrated works partnership, allowing the team to design its chassis around Honda’s compact turbo hybrid architecture. This collaboration is central to Aston Martin’s long term ambition of becoming a title contending operation.

Alpine will switch to Mercedes power in 2026, ending Renault’s long-running engine programme. The move gives Alpine access to a fresh development cycle and a manufacturer with strong hybrid expertise from endurance racing.

Sauber will become the full Audi works team in 2026, marking the German manufacturer’s official entry into Formula One. The Hinwil based squad is already integrating Audi personnel and infrastructure, preparing for a complete transformation of its technical operations.

As a works team, Sauber will receive the earliest updates, the closest engineering support, and a power unit designed specifically for its chassis concept. Audi sees 2026 as the foundation of a long-term project aimed at becoming a front-running force.