An overview of the engine components to be used during the 2026 season: When which Formula 1 driver faces a penalty
Even though there will be brand-new engines in Formula 1 in 2026, one thing has not changed: Once again this year, teams and drivers will have to manage their engine components carefully.
The process is similar to previous years: each driver is allocated a certain quota of engine components, divided into different elements, some of which differ slightly from the previous year. If a driver exceeds this allocation, they will receive a penalty for the next race.
In total, the 2026 power unit is divided into seven elements, for each of which an allocation has been specified in Article B8.2.2 of the regulations. However, Article B8.2.3 also stipulates that each driver will have one additional component per element available in 2026.
Consequently, the following are permitted for the 2026 Formula 1 season: four internal combustion engines (ICE), four turbochargers, four exhaust systems, three energy storage units, three control electronics units, three MGU-Ks, and six ancillary components of the power unit.
For the latter, Appendix C4 contains a comprehensive table listing everything that falls under this category: these include, amongst others, water, oil and fuel pumps, components in the intake system, wastegate valves, oil tanks, ERS cooling systems and components from the hydraulic system.
Should a driver use more engine parts than permitted, they face a grid penalty under Article B8.2.8: a ten-place grid penalty for the first additional component, and a five-place grid penalty for each subsequent additional component.
Furthermore, it is not possible to accumulate engine parts: if two identical components are replaced with a penalty at a single event, only the component used most recently may be used in future without incurring a penalty.
Gearboxes without a limit
In recent years, the gearbox was also subject to a restriction for a long time. Drivers initially had to complete a certain number of races with a single gearbox before a quota system was introduced. In 2025, however, this was completely scrapped, on the grounds that: “The reliability of current designs renders such a regulation obsolete.”
Under the new 2026 regulations, too, no restriction has been laid down. Drivers can therefore use as many gearboxes as they wish.
