P1racenews AI automatic summary:
F1 2026 Regulations: What is the Energy Recovery System?
The 2026 Formula 1 season is experiencing major regulatory changes affecting both the chassis and power units.
Power units in F1 have undergone significant adjustments, with a notable increase in electrical energy emphasis for the 1.6-litre V6 turbo hybrid engines, with a shift from 120kW to approximately 350kW.
This change results in a more balanced 50/50 split between the battery and internal combustion engine (ICE), making efficient energy recovery system (ERS) management crucial for drivers.
The new ERS in 2026 can harvest double the energy per lap compared to 2025, enhancing battery recharge capabilities through braking energy recovery.
The ERS comprises three key components: control electronics (CE), energy store (ES), and motor generator unit – kinetic (MGU-K), with the removal of the motor generator unit – heat (MGU-H) to simplify and improve efficiency.
Drivers can utilize the harvested energy via a boost button on the steering wheel, effectively enhancing performance by providing additional horsepower up to the full 450 horsepower potential.
