2025/2026 Hybrid Powerunit speculation

[wuzak]

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

They won't brake 500m before a turn.

They may run out of energy and start recovering energy well before the corner, which may require them to downshift.

But they won't be actively braking.

[wuzak]

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.

Sounds like the rev matching used in the V10s, V8s and hybrid V6s before.

As noted previously, the gears are quite closely spaced, so the downshifts come rapidly.

[vorticism]

Might even be only an ICE working against the dyno pump or motor or whatever is used, not through a transmission. In which case gear ratios are being simulated and the engine speed climb/descend rate could be whatever is specified.

[hsg]

They won't brake 500m before a turn.

They may run out of energy and start recovering energy well before the corner, which may require them to downshift.

But they won't be actively braking.

this is bullshit not racing, maybe they can introduce reverse grid as well..it is tragedy what f1 become, return V10 NA engine and fuuk of turbo and electric craps

[mzso]

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.

It doesn't matter what they actually burn. The efficiency of the technology is what matters.

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.

In the context, it seemed to me that he meant that late brakers will have less power available, due to reduced regen.

[BorisTheBlade]

In the context, it seemed to me that he meant that late brakers will have less power available, due to reduced regen.

Think you are right with your interpretation and in earlier iterations of the regulations this might have indeed been true.
But for the most recent version I have a strong feeling, that recovering with up to 250 kW at the end of a long straight while still having 150 kW of power to the wheels and braking as late as possible will gain you more laptime than braking earlier and recovering 350 kW for a longer duration. But it is still just a feeling as I don't have enough insight to do the math accordingly.
One intermediary step would be to calculate the amount of time you need to recover during full throttle in addition to braking and part throttle recovery on a typical track like Barcelona in order to get the maximum possible energy per lap of 8-9.000 kWs. That at least could give us a better feeling of what the trade-offs might look like. Might try that during the Holidays.