2025/2026 Hybrid Powerunit speculation

[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

[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.

Rev matching.

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

Yes, I understand that as rev matching, but still it sounds quite aggresive (much crackling and "grunt" sounds). I think this rev matching is done under MGUK load.

[Tommy Cookers]

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.

Yes, I understand that as rev matching, but still it sounds quite aggresive (much crackling and "grunt" sounds). I think this rev matching is done under MGUK load.

downshift rev-matching requires PU rpm to be raised
suggesting MGU-K motor action not generator action (the MG is coupled to the ICE and is trying to help in rpm-raising)
but now they are allowed a bidirectional passive coupler slipping at 520 Nm - rather decoupling the MG from the ICE
(is the magic 350 kW now based on torque sensor readings at MG nose ie not on DC line power ?)

on upshifts (I assume) the PU power is eased by MG generator action starting c. 10 msec before the (clutchless) shift
the MG can change its torque (when there's little or no rpm change required) far quicker than it can change its rpm

[diffuser]

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

That was from before they changed the regs and allowed the MGU-K to charge the battery. So what Max described will no longer be so. The also limit how much electric power you can deploy at higher speeds.