The RaceUnverified1 day agoby Edd Straw

Where big Mercedes 2026 advantage really is

The sandbags are off and we now know for sure that Mercedes has a sizeable advantage in F1 2026 - but where does its advantage lie?

Formula 1

The sandbags are off and we now know for sure that Mercedes has a sizeable advantage in F1 2026 - but where does its advantage lie?

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The Race

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Related Regulations

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sporting Regulations

Art. B8.2.3

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Full Regulation Text

Sporting Regulations

Article B8.2.3

FIA Source

Additional Power Unit Units

Chapter: B8

In Simple Terms

In 2026, drivers get one extra Power Unit component for free if their engine manufacturer is brand new to F1 that season. This is a one-time allowance to help new manufacturers get up to speed without penalty concerns.

New Power Unit manufacturers in 2026 get one additional allocation of each engine component
This concession only applies to manufacturers in their first year of supplying F1 engines
The extra unit applies to all Power Unit elements defined in Article B8.2.2
This is a regulatory allowance, not a penalty relief measure

Official FIA Text

Each driver will be permitted to use an additional unit for each of the Power Unit elements in Article B8.2.2 in the 2026 Championship if the Power Unit is supplied by a PU Manufacturer in its first year of supplying Power Units.

power unit2026new manufacturerengine allocationfirst year

2026 Season Regulations