Section 2: Equipment
2.1 Source Documents
Car specifications are governed by the FIA Formula One Technical Regulations 2026. All dimensions and specifications cited below are drawn from that document unless otherwise noted.
2.2 Car Dimensions (Technical Regulations, Article 3)
The following dimensional limits apply to all cars competing in the 2026 World Championship:
- Maximum overall width: 1,900 mm (reduced from 2,000 mm in 2025)
- Maximum overall height: 950 mm (measured from the reference plane)
- Maximum wheelbase: 3,600 mm
- Minimum weight (car + driver, with dry-weather tyres): 768 kg
- Front wing maximum width: 1,800 mm
- Rear wing maximum width: 1,500 mm
No car may be lighter than the minimum weight at any time during a competition. Ballast may be added, provided it is secured so that tools are required for its removal, and its position is declared to the FIA scrutineers before the start of each event (Article 4.2).
2.3 Power Unit (Technical Regulations, Articles 5 and 8)
The 2026 season introduces a new Power Unit specification replacing the 2014–2025 hybrid formula. The key elements of the 2026 Power Unit (PU) are:
- Internal Combustion Engine (ICE): 1.6-litre V6 turbocharged engine, maximum 10,500 rpm, with a single turbocharger
- Electrical deployment target: Approximately 50% of total power to come from the Motor Generator Unit – Heat (MGU-H is eliminated in 2026) and Motor Generator Unit – Kinetic (MGU-K)
- MGU-K maximum power output: 469 kW (approximately 629 bhp) — a significant increase from the 2025 limit of 120 kW
- Energy Store (ES) minimum capacity: 4.0 MJ (usable), maximum 9.0 MJ
- Fuel flow maximum: 100 kg/hr above 10,500 rpm (Article 5.1.4)
- Fuel composition: 100% sustainable (non-fossil) fuel mandatory from 2026 (Article 19)
- Maximum fuel load per race: 70 kg (reduced from 110 kg in 2025, reflecting high electrical contribution)
The MGU-H component (Motor Generator Unit – Heat) is abolished from 2026 to reduce PU complexity and cost, as specified in Article 5.2. The 2026 PU homologation period runs from 2026 through 2030 with limited development tokens permitted annually.
2.4 Aerodynamics and Active Systems (Technical Regulations, Article 3)
A major 2026 innovation is the introduction of driver-controlled active aerodynamic devices:
- Front Wing Active Element (FWAE): A moveable flap on the front wing, adjustable by the driver between two pre-defined positions. Permitted at any time, unlike previous DRS systems.
- Rear Wing Active Element (RWAE): A moveable element on the rear wing, adjustable by the driver between two pre-defined positions. Also permitted at any time.
Both active elements must operate within defined geometry envelopes specified in Article 3.9. The combined aerodynamic effect is intended to enable overtaking without a separate DRS zone activation procedure. The previous DRS (Drag Reduction System) with designated detection and activation zones, as used 2011–2025, is abolished from 2026.
2.5 Tyres (Sporting Regulations, Article 24)
Tyres are supplied exclusively by the single designated FIA tyre supplier (Pirelli SpA as of 2026 under the existing supply agreement). Pursuant to Article 24.1, no car may be driven using tyres that have not been supplied by the appointed tyre supplier.
- Dry-weather compounds: Three slick compounds (C1 through C5 range) are nominated per event by the tyre supplier. Compounds are colour-coded: Hard (white), Medium (yellow), Soft (red).
- Intermediate tyre: Green-banded, for use on wet but not fully wet circuits.
- Full wet tyre: Blue-banded (referred to as "Extreme Wet"), for use in heavy rainfall.
- Tyre allocation per race weekend: 13 sets of dry-weather, 4 sets of intermediate, and 3 sets of full wet tyres per driver (Article 24.4). Specific mandatory set returns are scheduled throughout the weekend.
- Tyre pressure and temperature: Minimum starting pressures are set by the tyre supplier and communicated to teams via the FIA Technical Delegate. Running below minimum prescribed pressures is a technical infringement.
2.6 Safety Equipment
The following safety components are mandatory on all cars per the Technical Regulations:
- Halo device (Article 15.4): A titanium or homologated composite structure mounted at the cockpit opening, providing overhead driver protection. Mandatory since 2018; structural requirements are defined in Appendix D of the Technical Regulations.
- Safety harness: A six-point FIA-homologated harness (Article 14.3), minimum 75 mm shoulder strap width.
- Fire suppression system (Article 14.1): An onboard automatic fire extinguisher system with a minimum total agent weight specified by Article 14.1.2.
- Accident Data Recorder (ADR) and marshalling system (Article 8.5): Mandatory FIA-supplied ADR unit recording impact data, plus a light panel system for marshalling information visible to the driver.
- Roll structures (Article 15.2 and 15.3): A primary roll structure behind the driver's head and a secondary roll structure at the cockpit, each meeting defined load tests.
2.7 Driver Equipment
- Helmet: Must conform to one of the FIA-approved standards: FIA 8860-2018, FIA 8860-2018-ABP (Advanced Ballistic Protection), or FIA 8860-2024. Standard 8860-2018 is the minimum; Advanced Ballistic Protection is recommended and mandatory for new helmets from a date specified by the FIA (Article 4.1 of the FIA International Sporting Code Appendix L).
- HANS device: A Head and Neck Support (HANS) device conforming to FIA 8858-2010 or 8858-2002 is mandatory (ISC Appendix L, Article 4).
- Race suit: Must conform to FIA Standard 8856-2018, providing a minimum thermal protection of 10 seconds of direct flame exposure (Nomex or equivalent, minimum two-layer construction).
- Gloves and boots: Must conform to FIA Standards 8856-2018 (gloves) and 8856-2018 (boots).