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Arvid Lindblad, Gabriel Bortleto, and Franco Colapinto will drop down the grid at the Circuit of the Americas due to power unit component changes. Bortleto faces a 20-place penalty for exceeding limits on energy stores and control electronics, while Colapinto receives a 10-place sanction.
General Motors president Mark Reuss announced the December 18 opening of a Cadillac engine factory in Charlotte, North Carolina. The facility will develop power units for the 2029 Formula 1 season following FIA approval for General Motors to act as a supplier.
Formula 1 will revert to the 305 kilometre race distance in 2028 following a temporary reduction to 290 kilometres in 2027. This change follows shifts in power unit ratios that increase combustion engine reliance and fuel consumption requirements for teams.
Fernando Alonso reported significant drivability and turbo lag issues with his Honda power unit during the Singapore Grand Prix. The Aston Martin driver lost 200 to 300 metres on every straight due to poor energy deployment, preventing him from overtaking Sergio Perez.
Max Verstappen claims several former drivers provide incorrect analysis regarding 2026 regulations because they fail to study how the new power units function. The Red Bull driver expressed these views during the Singapore Grand Prix weekend following comments from Damon Hill.
The Honda power unit creates significant driveability issues for the Aston Martin AMR26, particularly in Singapore where the engine accounted for 113% of the laptime deficit. While chassis improvements since Hungary have aided cornering, engine deficits remain a major concern.
George Russell will postpone a grid penalty for a new Mercedes power unit until the Las Vegas Grand Prix to avoid overtaking difficulties in Austin. His teammate Andrea Antonelli holds a 102-point lead over Russell with six rounds remaining in the 2026 championship season.
FIA President Ben Sulayem plans to reintroduce V8 engines in 2030 to address driver dissatisfaction with 2026 power units. This technical shift aims to reduce engine weight by 80kg and coincides with the launch of the African Grand Prix at a new facility in Rwanda.
Loïc Serra leads the technical supervision for Ferrari's 2026 SF-26 project as the team prepares for major regulatory changes. Development focuses on power unit energy recovery, chassis balance, and tire management to maintain competitiveness against rivals.
The 350kW MGU-K introduces massive retarding torque to the rear axle, requiring a brake-by-wire system to adjust mechanical caliper pressure. This algorithm maintains consistent rear braking force by compensating for electrical harvesting to prevent instability.
Williams relies on Mercedes-Benz engine mapping to manage a 75kg/hr fuel flow limit and 50/50 power split under 2026 regulations. This collaboration aims to optimize thermal efficiency and energy deployment for high-speed tracks like Monza.
The FIA is replacing the dual fuel flow measurement sensor setup with a single Allengra device featuring integrated ultrasonic sensors for encrypted data. This transition aims to simplify technical monitoring of power units while maintaining strict oversight of fuel consumption.