Section 5: Rules of Play
Power Unit Architecture (2026)
- Only the engine and the ERS-K may propel the car and/or Recharge energy (Article C5.2.1), and the energy of the Turbo Charger's rotating parts may not be transferred to any other component (Article C5.3.1), so there is no MGU-H
- Fuel energy flow must not exceed 3000 MJ/h, with no cylinder exceeding 550 MJ/h under normal operating conditions (Article C5.2.3)
- The difference between the maximum and minimum Energy Store state of charge may not exceed 4 MJ while the car is on track (Article C5.2.9)
- Recharge must not exceed 8.5 MJ per lap, reducible to 7 MJ at some Competitions and, from Issue 20, to no less than 4 MJ (previously 5 MJ) for Sprint Qualifying and Qualifying (Article C5.2.10)
- MGU-K mechanical torque may not exceed 500 Nm (Article C5.2.11); at a standing start the MGU-K may only be used once the car has reached 50 km/h (Article C5.2.12)
- Compression ratio (Article C5.4.3): no cylinder may have a geometric compression ratio higher than 16.0. Until 31 May 2026 this was measured with the Engine at ambient temperature; from 1 June 2026 to 31 December 2026 it is measured both at ambient temperature and with the Engine at 130°C, and any component, assembly, mechanism, or integrated arrangement of components designed or functioning to increase the compression ratio in operating conditions beyond 16.0 is prohibited.
- Low Grip conditions (Articles C5.2.8, C5.12.4, C5.2.10): specific power curves, detailed in FIA-F1-DOC-111, are used in Low Grip conditions during any power limited period; a minimum power reduction of 250 kW is imposed in the specified circuit sectors during the Race and Sprint Session; and no Recharge limit applies to laps behind the safety car in Low Grip conditions. When Overtake and Boost may be used is governed by the Sporting Regulations (Article B7.2), not by Section C.
Aerodynamics
- Front wing flap adjustment is driven by up to two actuators and must complete the switch between Corner Mode and Straight Mode within 400 ms; on failure the system must return to Corner Mode (Article C3.10.10)
- The rear wing flap is driven by a single actuator, with the same 400 ms transition limit and fail-safe return to Corner Mode (Article C3.11.6)
- The flaps may only be deployed when the car is stationary or fully inside an Activation Zone defined in the Sporting Regulations (Articles C3.10.10, C3.11.6)
- Floor bodywork and the Plank Assembly are prescribed by reference volumes and dedicated rules (Articles C3.5, C3.6)
Materials & Construction
- The Survival Cell and its impact structures must pass the frontal impact, roll structure, survival cell load, side impact, front impact and rear impact tests (Articles C13.2 to C13.7)
- All materials used must be commercially available (Article C15.1.3)