McLaren F1 team boss Andreas Seidl has dismissed concerns that the gap between works and customer teams will widen when F1 introduces new F1 power unit regulations for 2026. ends.
The new regulations include a number of changes that help make them more sustainable, from an environmental and financial point of view.
It was decided that the MGU-H would be phased out and that carbon-neutral synthetic fuels would be used, with an emphasis on electrical energy to reduce the fuel used during racing to create a cleaner sport.
With some concessions being made to bring new manufacturers into F1, the change will be largely popular, but the switch to MGU-K could widen the playing field.
Components are relocated within the power unit and kept within the chassis rather than the unit itself for safety reasons. This focuses on rear-end bodywork and engine cover design, giving manufacturers an advantage that houses both the engine and the engineering hub together.
Customer teams such as McLaren may face development delays as they have to build around the engine, but team principal Andreas Seidl has eased concerns.
“It’s not going to change dramatically,” said Andreas Seidl.
“The good thing about the regulations today is that the interface between the power unit and the chassis side is clearly defined in the regulations. I don’t expect that to change much in 2026.”
“It is about receiving the same materials and maps compared to the work team. It also ensures that there is equality there.”
“At the moment there is a lot of coercion going on to make sure this happens, so I don’t think there will be much change there.”
“For example, I don’t think it will hinder our journey as a customer team to fight to win races.”
Category: F1 / F1 machine
