2026 Hybrid Powerunits

[karana]

I wonder what that will sound like?

As far as I know this is already done with the current PUs (they can't recover the allowed 2MJ with braking alone). I wouldn't expect that you can really hear this, the rpm behaves exactly like it would when not doing it. The engine might be louder, but could you tell if it is louder than 'necessary'? (But this is just a wild guess.)

Why would they? There's abundant and un-capped energy recover from the MUG-H. They can recover the allowance from that, and that's otherwise wasted energy. So there's no sense in using K for anything other than breaking.

While there is no limit on MGU-H recovery, there is only so much energy they can practically recover (I'm not sure about how much it is, but I think it was something around 2-3MJ per lap, depending on the track). The energy you have available per lap is basically (energy recovered by MGU-K + energy recovered by MGU-H). So you want to maximise both. And running the MGU-K against the ICE doesn't harm the MGU-H recovery in any way. In fact it even helps as it helps keeping the turbo spun.

From Honda's website: https://global.honda/en/tech/motorsport ... train_ESS/

Under partial throttle when starting to exit a corner, a different control technology called partial recovery is employed. It is used to generate electricity by diverting excess output to the MGU-K after the engine generates enough output to meet the driver’s needs.

Honda has even introduced a technique to circumvent the 2MJ recovery limit:

Extra Harvest/Extra Deploy is a control technology fully implemented from the middle of the 2018 season. The maximum amount of energy that can be sent directly from the MGU-K to the ES is 2 MJ per lap, so rather than sending any recovered energy over 2 MJ to the ES, that energy is sent to the MGU-H, which has no restrictions on energy exchanged with the ES. After being used for only a moment to assist the MGU-H, the inertial energy from the rotor is then immediately recovered. Through continuous repetition of this assist-to-recovery cycle at a frequency of 20 Hz or less, the recovered energy is sent to the ES. This is known as Extra Harvest.

[haza]

First sound of the 2026 engines courtesy of Honda

Can hear the power drop towards the end reminiscent of d rating at tracks like monza

https://x.com/hondaracingf1/status/1999 ... 38690?s=46

[BassVirolla]

First sound of the 2026 engines courtesy of Honda

Can hear the power drop towards the end reminiscent of d rating at tracks like monza

https://x.com/hondaracingf1/status/1999 ... 38690?s=46

To me, sounds like blipping throttle inputs between downshifts, probably burning as much fuel possible (allowed) in this time to increase recovery.

[BassVirolla]

... And sounds like a very, very close ratio gearbox. We are set for a long first gear with the MGUK being a great actor at the launchs?

Nearly always in best efficiency revs...

[Holm86]

... And sounds like a very, very close ratio gearbox. We are set for a long first gear with the MGUK being a great actor at the launchs?

Nearly always in best efficiency revs...

I'm sure it's on an engine Dyno, and not fittet to a real race gearbox

[BassVirolla]

... And sounds like a very, very close ratio gearbox. We are set for a long first gear with the MGUK being a great actor at the launchs?

Nearly always in best efficiency revs...

I'm sure it's on an engine Dyno, and not fittet to a real race gearbox

I don't doubt it, but it's usual to do race sims in dynos, so imitating the real gear ratios.

[Holm86]

... And sounds like a very, very close ratio gearbox. We are set for a long first gear with the MGUK being a great actor at the launchs?

Nearly always in best efficiency revs...

I'm sure it's on an engine Dyno, and not fittet to a real race gearbox

I don't doubt it, but it's usual to do race sims in dynos, so imitating the real gear ratios.

I only hear 7 gears

[Vappy]

Certainly doesn't seem to rev all that high in that footage. In comparison, mercedes' F1 dyno run. I couldn't find a honda equivalent to the current engines in a dyno environment, so not a like for like.



EDIT: Comparing it to some off-board shots of the Racing Bulls of 2025, it sounds a bit less muffled and more throaty. A missing MGU-H might be the result of that?

EDIT 2: The mic setup on the 2015 video is potentially a more effective comparison to the 2026 honda dyno video. Of course they have the exhaust extracting immediately out of the room, and the room itself affects the audio compared to the mic locations in the 2015 video, but at least it's clear and honda vs honda.

[hsg]

Is that is case, late brake drivers will loose their performances?

[mzso]

To me, sounds like blipping throttle inputs between downshifts, probably burning as much fuel possible (allowed) in this time to increase recovery.

Jumping at every little opportunity to recover energy I guess.

Certainly doesn't seem to rev all that high in that footage. In comparison, mercedes' F1 dyno run. I couldn't find a honda equivalent to the current engines in a dyno environment, so not a like for like.

Maybe the engines will be even lower reving than today (with the mgu geared to be higher rpm), if that turned out to be more efficient. Or maybe just the timbre is different.

Is that is case, late brake drivers will loose their performances?

Or a tiny bit more fuel, I expect. It think, one way or another they will recover the required energy for optimal laptime.
Are there even any early brakers nowadays?

[diffuser]

Well, that would depend on what the math says, but that’s my point, I don’t understand how that would mathematically be possible, surely burning petrol to generate electricity is wholly inefficient. That is What I want explaining

Your example would require 100% Efficiency, and that is not possible

Not as inefficient as you seem to expect. And in some circumstances it could be more efficient, when you use the best time to charge and deploy. Due to the ICE having a narrow efficiency range, near the peak, and the MG having a broader one, as well as being a lot more efficient overall.

Don't forget, this is not fuel that was pulled out of the ground. It's sustainable fuel...To a certain degree, they don't care how much of it they need to burn.

[diffuser]

Is that is case, late brake drivers will loose their performances?

Not sure you understand, in 2026 you will have less downforce, normal braking will just take more meters because if you brake harder, you'll just lock up the wheels. The late brakers have the ability to stop later that others and still not lock up the tires. That will not change. Just late braking in 2026 will not be as late as it was in 2025. You still need the "touch" to perform the late braking and if you have it, you'll still be able to make use of it.

[wuzak]

First sound of the 2026 engines courtesy of Honda

Can hear the power drop towards the end reminiscent of d rating at tracks like monza

https://x.com/hondaracingf1/status/1999 ... 38690?s=46

To me, sounds like blipping throttle inputs between downshifts, probably burning as much fuel possible (allowed) in this time to increase recovery.

Rev matching.

Maximum permitted time for a downshift is 300ms. Not sure how much recovery can be done in that period.

[haza]

First sound of the 2026 engines courtesy of Honda

Can hear the power drop towards the end reminiscent of d rating at tracks like monza

https://x.com/hondaracingf1/status/1999 ... 38690?s=46

To me, sounds like blipping throttle inputs between downshifts, probably burning as much fuel possible (allowed) in this time to increase recovery.

Rev matching.

Maximum permitted time for a downshift is 300ms. Not sure how much recovery can be done in that period.

It’s going to be really interesting how they manage the battery though I should dampen people’s expectations on the sound as they may sound good on a dyno they did with the last engines expect them to sound more or less the same with abit more throatyness due to the removal of mgu h

[hsg]

you must brake 500m before turn? that is bullshit, that is not racing, it is efficiency competition