2025/2026 Hybrid Powerunit speculation

[saviour stivala]

I have explained more than once the new for 2026 rules allowing energy recovery when cornering, It seems these recovery when cornering are new, meaning this mode was not there before. Anyhow, once again: New regulations allow for MGU-K to recover energy during cornering, which is a change from previous years, this mode will happen by special maps, which triggers MGU-K into harvesting, even when driver lifts off throttle or is slightly using the brake pedal, these maps will increase engine revs (rpm) during this harvesting mode.

Engine revs cannot be controlled by maps. The driver selects a gear then engine revs will match the road speed for that particular gear.

Yes, engine revs are controlled indirectly by engine maps in formula 1, which are data tables within the ECU that manages how engine produce power in response to driver input. While the maps don't directly ''set'' a specific rev count, they control the torque output at different engine speeds and throttle positions, which determines the engine rev behavior, drivers can select different maps to change the throttle's response , for example, to have less aggressive map in wet conditions to prevent wheelspin, which keeps engine from revving to high. Engine maps are primarily a function of engine speed (RPM) and throttle position, defining how much torque the engine should deliver. The ECU uses these maps to manage the engine power output, affecting how the car accelerates and reaches different RPM'S.

[saviour stivala]

And yes, in 2026, F1 cars will recover energy during cornering by using the MGU-K unit to turn the car's inertia into electricity. And also yes, in 2026 formula 1 engine maps will increase engine revs during harvesting in corners, even with the driver of the throttle, to maximize energy recovery.

[saviour stivala]

And also 'yes', this mode, recovering energy while cornering (with the MGU-H removed) is new for 2026.

[wuzak]

I calculated the minimum rpm needed to get the maximum fuel flow values from 5.4.5

Power Equivalent Rpm
-50 796
-25 1702
0 2607
25 3513
50 4419
75 5324
100 6230
125 7135
150 8041
175 8946
200 9852
218 10500
225 10500

[wuzak]

And yes, in 2026, F1 cars will recover energy during cornering by using the MGU-K unit to turn the car's inertia into electricity. And also yes, in 2026 formula 1 engine maps will increase engine revs during harvesting in corners, even with the driver of the throttle, to maximize energy recovery.

I ask, again, how?

The engine maps will control the fuel flow based on various inputs, but they are not allowed to change rpm unless the driver demands more power.

The CPU is also not allowed to automatically change the gears.

Gear changes must be commanded by the driver.

The CPU can reject a shift if it will overrev the engine or will cause the engine to stall, otherwise it has to change gear within a set period after the command (200ms upshift, 300ms downshift).

Also, can you cite your source for this?

[wuzak]

. . . It seems these recovery when cornering are new, meaning this mode was not there before.

As shown by Wuzak above - there is NO MENTION of harvesting "during cornering" in the Technical Regulations. The Technical Regulations do mention harvesting in "partial load".

Actually, the rules do not specify when harvesting/recovery can occur, other than reducing the output of the MGUK from positive (deploying) to negative (harvesting) when at full driver power demand.

The rules do specify limits to the fuel flow at part throttle, which, I assume, is to limit the amount of power that can be recovered by fuel burning.

The rules do not forbid energy recovery in different situations either.

[Tommy Cookers]

And yes, in 2026, F1 cars will recover energy during cornering by using the MGU-K unit to turn the car's inertia into electricity ...

nonsense !
the car's inertia cannot be turned into anything unless the car's speed is thereby reduced (by rear wheel effects only)

[saviour stivala]

And yes, in 2026, F1 cars will recover energy during cornering by using the MGU-K unit to turn the car's inertia into electricity. And also yes, in 2026 formula 1 engine maps will increase engine revs during harvesting in corners, even with the driver of the throttle, to maximize energy recovery.

I ask, again, how?

The engine maps will control the fuel flow based on various inputs, but they are not allowed to change rpm unless the driver demands more power.

The CPU is also not allowed to automatically change the gears.

Gear changes must be commanded by the driver.

The CPU can reject a shift if it will overrev the engine or will cause the engine to stall, otherwise it has to change gear within a set period after the command (200ms upshift, 300ms downshift).

Also, can you cite your source for this?

Yes, F1 engine maps are used to raise or lower engine revs, primarily by adjusting ignition and fuel injection timing to meet the driver's torque demand, which is a function of engine speed and throttle position. Teams great different maps for various situation, such as using a more aggressive ''qualifying mode'' with higher revs and more power, or a more conservative mode that lowers the maximum revs to manage heat, fuel consumption, and engine life. How engine maps raise or lower engine revs, Torque demand: The driver's throttle input greats a torque demand signal, which is used by 2D torque map that factors in both pedal position and current engine speed (RPM), To meet this torque demand, the ECU uses other maps to precisely control when spark-plug fires (ignition timing) and how much fuel to inject.

[michl420]

Is there a fuel (kg/l/mj) per race limit?

[wuzak]

Is there a fuel (kg/l/mj) per race limit?

Not yet, as far as I am aware.

[karana]

Is there a fuel (kg/l/mj) per race limit?

Not yet, as far as I am aware.

There most probably won't be one, considering there already is no limit since 2022. (Btw, the 15k rev limit was also removed for 2022)

[wuzak]

Is there a fuel (kg/l/mj) per race limit?

Not yet, as far as I am aware.

There most probably won't be one, considering there already is no limit since 2022. (Btw, the 15k rev limit was also removed for 2022)

Hadn't noticed that.

I'm guessing that is because neither limit was being used.

[Vappy]

Fuel flow rate is the limiting factor with the revs never exceeding 13K, right?

[gruntguru]

I have explained more than once the new for 2026 rules allowing energy recovery when cornering, It seems these recovery when cornering are new, meaning this mode was not there before. Anyhow, once again: New regulations allow for MGU-K to recover energy during cornering, which is a change from previous years, this mode will happen by special maps, which triggers MGU-K into harvesting, even when driver lifts off throttle or is slightly using the brake pedal, these maps will increase engine revs (rpm) during this harvesting mode.

Engine revs cannot be controlled by maps. The driver selects a gear then engine revs will match the road speed for that particular gear.

Yes, engine revs are controlled indirectly by engine maps in formula 1, which are data tables within the ECU that manages how engine produce power in response to driver input.

You can squirm all you like but your original statement (in red) suggests that the ECU can somehow influence the rpm in a corner. WRONG!
- the car will corner at the road speed determined by the driver (on the limit hopefully)
- the car will be in the gear selected by the driver
- the rpm will be absolutely determined by the above two factors - both determined by the driver only.
- If the ECU was permitted to change the power to the wheels and influence the rpm the car would corner at the wrong speed - disastrous!
- This is not permitted by the regulations anyway. The torque to the wheels must be proportional to the driver demand.

[saviour stivala]

Engine revs cannot be controlled by maps. The driver selects a gear then engine revs will match the road speed for that particular gear.

Yes, engine revs are controlled indirectly by engine maps in formula 1, which are data tables within the ECU that manages how engine produce power in response to driver input.

You can squirm all you like but your original statement (in red) suggests that the ECU can somehow influence the rpm in a corner. WRONG!
- the car will corner at the road speed determined by the driver (on the limit hopefully)
- the car will be in the gear selected by the driver
- the rpm will be absolutely determined by the above two factors - both determined by the driver only.
- If the ECU was permitted to change the power to the wheels and influence the rpm the car would corner at the wrong speed - disastrous!
- This is not permitted by the regulations anyway. The torque to the wheels must be proportional to the driver demand.

The 2026 formula 1 regulations will introduce special engine maps that uses the MGU-K to ''harvest'' energy during corners by increasing engine revs even when the driver is off throttle. This new system will raise the engine revs in medium-to-high-speed cornes to provide load on the MGU-K, which will then slow the engine shaft to recharge the battery. Traditionally, the MGU-K harvest energy by slowing the engine shaft when driver lifts off the accelerator, the new 2026 rules allow for the opposite, the engine will be intentionally reved up to provide load for the MGU-K which then slows the engine to generate charge. This process is enabled by specific engine maps that will raise the engine revs when driver is off throttle in certain corners.