2025/2026 Hybrid Powerunit speculation

[wuzak]

If they add a generator on the front axle for 2026, how will this affect the racing?

Also, what would happen if they’re allowed to harvest more energy per lap? With or without the front generator

Harevsting the energy allowed will be difficult and require burning extra fuel to achieve it.

Harvesting more would likely require a larger, and heavier, battery.

I've said it before, I don't think front harvesting will help much, unless the total recovery power is much greater.

And it doesn't help with the deployment if the front MGU also deploys.
You would still run out of energy quickly.

[saviour stivala]

Braking will be the only way to recover energy in 2026. The battery (ES) can only be charged by braking. But the brakes will not be the only way to slow down the car.

[DenBommer]

If they add a generator on the front axle for 2026, how will this affect the racing?

Also, what would happen if they’re allowed to harvest more energy per lap? With or without the front generator

Harevsting the energy allowed will be difficult and require burning extra fuel to achieve it.

Harvesting more would likely require a larger, and heavier, battery.

I've said it before, I don't think front harvesting will help much, unless the total recovery power is much greater.

And it doesn't help with the deployment if the front MGU also deploys.
You would still run out of energy quickly.

So, is a front generator just not a good idea? especially considering they want the cars to be smaller and lighter?

[wuzak]

If they add a generator on the front axle for 2026, how will this affect the racing?

Also, what would happen if they’re allowed to harvest more energy per lap? With or without the front generator

Harevsting the energy allowed will be difficult and require burning extra fuel to achieve it.

Harvesting more would likely require a larger, and heavier, battery.

I've said it before, I don't think front harvesting will help much, unless the total recovery power is much greater.

And it doesn't help with the deployment if the front MGU also deploys.
You would still run out of energy quickly.

So, is a front generator just not a good idea? especially considering they want the cars to be smaller and lighter?

A front generator certainly wouldn't help the quest for lightness.

[wuzak]

Braking will be the only way to recover energy in 2026. The battery (ES) can only be charged by braking. But the brakes will not be the only way to slow down the car.

The battery can be charged:

• During braking (driver uses brake pedal)
• Under Full Throttle - at the end of maximum power demand sections, ie straights, the MGUK output can be reduced up to 600kW, down to -250kW. That is, up to 250kW can begenerated when the driver is at full throttle. This will slow the car by a small amount.
• Under Part Throttle - when the power demand is less than the ICE can produce, the MGUK can be used to generate some power. Thsi could slow the car, or be at a steady speed, or under acceleration (in traction zones, for example).
• Lift and Coast - Driver lifts off the throttle early to allow the car to coast to the corner, using the aero to slow the car. The MGUK may also be used to generate some power and slow the car more.

Only in the first is the driver actively braking, the last is also used to slow the car, mainly for fuel saving and prtecting the brakes. The second will slow the car, but that is not the purpose of doing it.

[diffuser]

Braking will be the only way to recover energy in 2026. The battery (ES) can only be charged by braking. But the brakes will not be the only way to slow down the car.

The battery can be charged:

• During braking (driver uses brake pedal)
• Under Full Throttle - at the end of maximum power demand sections, ie straights, the MGUK output can be reduced up to 600kW, down to -250kW. That is, up to 250kW can begenerated when the driver is at full throttle. This will slow the car by a small amount.
• Under Part Throttle - when the power demand is less than the ICE can produce, the MGUK can be used to generate some power. Thsi could slow the car, or be at a steady speed, or under acceleration (in traction zones, for example).
• Lift and Coast - Driver lifts off the throttle early to allow the car to coast to the corner, using the aero to slow the car. The MGUK may also be used to generate some power and slow the car more.

Only in the first is the driver actively braking, the last is also used to slow the car, mainly for fuel saving and prtecting the brakes. The second will slow the car, but that is not the purpose of doing it.

Excellent post .... I would have written slightly different but excellent none the less.

The battery can be charged in the following scenarios:

During braking – When the driver uses the brake pedal, the MGUK (Motor Generator Unit - Kinetic) can harvest energy.

Under full throttle – At the end of maximum power demand sections (e.g. straights), the MGUK output can be reduced from up to +600 kW to as low as -250 kW. In this mode, up to 250 kW can be generated even when the driver is at full throttle. This process slightly slows the car.

Under part throttle – When power demand is less than what the internal combustion engine (ICE) can provide, the MGUK can be used to generate energy. This may slow the car, keep it at a steady speed, or even allow for light acceleration (e.g. in traction zones).

Lift and coast – The driver lifts off the throttle early, allowing the car to coast into a corner while using aerodynamic drag to decelerate. The MGUK may also be used to generate energy and provide additional slowing.

Notes:

Only in the first scenario is the driver actively braking.

The "lift and coast" technique is mainly used for fuel saving, reducing tire wear, and protecting the brakes, though it also slows the car.

In the second scenario (full throttle charging), the car is slowed as a side effect, but that is not the primary intention.