Formula 1’s most famous manufacturer, Ferrari, are yet to confirm if they’ll remain in the sport from 2026, the year when the new engine regulations will be introduced.
The new engine regulations will see the paddock switch to sustainable fuels, with the championship continuing to push towards its goal of being net carbon zero by 2030.
Other manufacturers not currently in the sport as an engine supplier have identified 2026 as the perfect time to join, with Audi having already been announced as Sauber’s power unit partner from when the new regs are introduced.
Honda are also wanting to supply power units from 2026; however, to do so they’ll have to leave Red Bull, with the Austrians fully intent on using their own power units.
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Ferrari, though, are reportedly unhappy on what Red Bull are set to receive in 2026, with the Austrians likely to be deemed as a new engine supplier, like Audi.
In order to catch-up with the current teams quickly, new power unit suppliers are given more development time, something Red Bull believe they will be entitled to.
The Maranello-based side believe this shouldn’t happen if they remain partners with Honda, who have supplied the Milton Keynes-based outfit with powertrains for the last few years.
With this in mind, Ferrari are yet to sign up for 2026, with the reported deadline having been moved several times by the FIA in the hope that the Italians agree to continue.
Speaking at the season finale, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff revealed that “there was no formal deadline” for 2026 applications, but that Mercedes “have entered”.
“I think there is nothing in the regulations that said it needs to be the 15th of October, it was discretionary for the FIA to decide when that is and we have entered – that has happened. And now it’s about the FIA to talk to everyone else,” Wolff said.
“These discussions are progressing as far as I understand, so we are on course for 2026.”
Alpine are another side who, like Ferrari, are yet to agree to remain in F1 from 2026 onwards; however, CEO Laurent Rossi has admitted that the Enstone-based side’s 2026 confirmation is “imminent”.
“We had some points we wanted to discuss on the legal side, to make sure that we fully covered as much as possible, which we did,” Rossi said.
“We just kept on discussing those points as far as we could. And at some point, when we reach a level in discussions where we think we’re all in a good position, we sign – or we’re going to sign. I think it’s imminent.”
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It appears that several conversations with the FIA will be necessary before all of the current engine suppliers agree to continue in 2026, especially as Red Bull boss Christian Horner is adamant that his side should be treated “as a newcomer”.
“The deadlines were extended but there’s an awful lot of discussion about governance and tidying up some of the technical regs and obviously financial regs as well,” said Horner.
“As a newcomer for 2026, Red Bull Powertrains has entered. It’s an exciting moment for the group, for the company, a new challenge to take on, and a lot to do between now and 2026.”