Newey expects F1 2026 to be engine-dominated

Adrian Newey thinks Formula 1’s all-new technical regulations for 2026 may well lead to an engine-dominated series for the first few seasons, drawing parallels with 2014.

Newey, who will join the Aston Martin team as managing technical partner in March, believes there is a “big chance” one of the engine manufacturers designing the more hybrid-oriented power units will steal a march on the rest of the field, much like Mercedes’ engines proved dominant when the hybrid power units were first introduced in 2014.

Next year’s cars will feature power units which will do away with the extremely complex and expensive MGU-H electrical motors but draw much more energy from a more prominent MGU-K unit while using sustainable fuels. There will also be an override system to give cars an extra boost while following the car ahead, mimicking the effect of the current DRS system.

“There has to be a big chance that it’s an engine formula at the start,” Newey told German publication Auto Motor und Sport. “I can’t remember another time in Formula 1 when both the chassis regulations and the engine regulations have changed simultaneously, and where in this case the chassis regulations have been very much written to try to compensate, let’s say, for the power unit regulations. So, it’s an extra dimension.

Adrian Newey, Aston Martin Formula One Team

Photo by: Aston Martin Racing

“There has to be a chance that one manufacturer will come out well on top, and it will become a power-unit-dominated regulation, at least to start with. There’s a chance that if it’s on the combustion engine side of it, that somebody comes up with a dominant combustion engine that will last through the length of the formula, because the way the regulations are written, it’s quite difficult for people who are behind to catch up.

“If it’s on the electrical side, then there’s much more ability to catch up if you’re behind. And on the fuel side, which might play a role as well, there’s flexibility in principle, but with dyno restrictions and the fact that everything’s so optimised, you can’t simply chuck a different fuel into an engine that hasn’t been optimised for it.”

Newey’s future squad Aston Martin is joining forces with Honda as its works engine partner, while Saudi oil company Aramco is providing sustainable fuels.

Audi is coming in as a brand-new power unit manufacturer after having completed its takeover of the Sauber squad, while Red Bull is building its own in-house engines at its Red Bull Powertrains campus in Milton Keynes, in cooperation with Ford.

F1 2026 FIA car renders

Photo by: FIA

Alongside current constructors Mercedes, Ferrari and Honda, a sixth manufacturer is set to join whenever General Motors brand Cadillac is ready to produce its own engines, with the expansion squad also set to join the grid in 2026. Renault has meanwhile ditched its power unit programme, with its Alpine team becoming a Mercedes customer.

While the engine regulations have long been published, teams have only been allowed to enter their 2026 car designs in the wind tunnel since the turn of the year, following a sign-off of the technical regulations late last year.

Newey said his main focus would be Aston Martin’s 2026 car as he gets up to speed with the new regulations in March. “My concentration will clearly be on ’26,” he said. “No doubt Lawrence [Stroll, Aston owner] will want me to be a little bit involved in the ’25 car. So, whether I can really contribute anything or not, I’ve got no idea until I start.

“I’ve been out of Formula 1, really, since end of April. I have little detailed knowledge of the new regulations. On the power-unit side, the regulations have been out for some time, but in terms of the chassis side, aerodynamics and the vehicle dynamics, then I don’t have much knowledge, so that will be a rapid learning curve when I do start.”