Checo Perez, Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton have voiced concerns over F1’s 2026 engines. With the MGU-H gone and electric power boosted, turbo lag returns and energy management intensifies — forcing drivers to lift and coast even in qualifying.
In 2026, numerous new regulations will be implemented in F1, and here we explain everything so that you are left with no doubts as to why drivers such as Sergio Pérez, Max Verstappen, and Lewis Hamilton have complained so vehemently.
The new aerodynamic rules can be complex, and with the arrival of new power units, the number of technical terms specific to F1 has skyrocketed. However, some elements that were once commonplace, such as DRS and MGU-H, are now a thing of the past.
The new power units are still 1.6-liter V6 turbo hybrids, as they have been since 2014, but in these 2026 versions, the importance of their electrical power output has tripled. This has led to the MGU-H being removed from these systems.
The Motor Generator Unit Heat (MGU-H) has been part of hybrid powertrains since 2014. Its function was to convert the thermal energy from the exhaust gases into electricity and regulate the speed of the turbocharger.
It also acted as a generator to recharge the system's battery, while helping to reduce turbo lag by acting as a motor to drive the turbine. It worked in conjunction with the Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS), which recovered energy during braking.
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The new 2026 powertrains only incorporate the MGU-K, although it is now much more powerful, which has made it possible to say goodbye to the MGU-H for good.
The current champion, Lando Norris, recently pointed out during preseason testing that the new F1 cars suffer considerably from turbo lag, evoking memories of F1 in the 1980s.
In addition, there has been much debate during the off-season about the difficulties of starting the new cars and getting a good start in Grand Prix races. Without the MGU-H, the new turbochargers take longer to reach optimal performance.
The MGU-H proved to be a very expensive component to manufacture and maintain during the season, without providing a significant increase in power. Furthermore, this technology is not suitable for hybrid road cars. Mercedes tested it in its AMG model but concluded that it was not suitable for a conventional vehicle, making it an innovation exclusive to motorsport.
The development of improved versions of the MGU-K, together with increased driver responsibility for battery management, allows the energy recovery system (ERS) to recharge the battery with twice as much energy per lap compared to 2025. However, this forces drivers to use the technique of lifting their foot off the accelerator even during a single qualifying lap. In addition, the FIA could modify the starting procedure at Grand Prix races, as the new turbochargers need more time to reach the required speed.
Which engine will each F1 team use in 2026?
The top category of motorsport is a competition between drivers, but also between engineering, technology, and industrial development, driven to maximum power by millions of dollars.
However, there are some important differences between teams in terms of structure, the companies behind them, or their legacy in other categories of motorsport.
Therefore, smaller teams such as Cadillac with Ferrari, Haas, or Williams with Mercedes, turn to other teams to share the engine, gearbox, and other parts under very strict FIA guidelines.
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