Starting this season, the development of the current engines will be frozen, but in a few years new technical regulations will come into force, which will make the engines less complicated and expensive to produce. The plan is to use the existing 1.6-liter V6 internal combustion engine as a base, but to use an additional 350 kW of electric power. Audi and Porsche are also expected to become suppliers in 2026, when these new engines will be introduced.
The Ferrari, Mercedes and Alpine teams are currently launching their engines, as does Red Bull. Meanwhile, Aston Martin will start with Mercedes engines, but will consider starting production of its power units, confirmed the new head of the unit Mike Crack.
“First of all, we’re happy with our current engine partner,” Crack said. “However, we will have new technical regulations in 2026, with a greater emphasis on the use of electricity than we do now. I think it is normal for brands like Aston Martin to look into them in depth and evaluate them from a strategic point of view as they approach new regulations. “Now is a reasonable amount of time to bring these engines into operation in 2026, and we know that other manufacturers are also considering producing them. Now is the time to look into that.”
Krak has previously worked on BMW and Porsche factory projects in the Le Mans endurance race, as well as in Formula E.
“I think it’s the right move for F1 to put more emphasis on hybrid and electric technologies,” says Crack. “I’ve come across both of these things before – Formula E is fully electrified, but hybrids are used in the Hypercar category. Formula 1 is similar, though not exactly the same.”
Resources used:
Motorsport.com: F1 News, MotoGP, NASCAR,…
