FIA not yet worried about lack of entries for 2026

The FIA is not yet worried about the lack of sign-ups from engine manufacturers for 2026. Audi already signed up, but many other manufacturers are still holding their cards to their chests and there are especially many question marks surrounding Ferrari.

F1 engines for 2026

New engine regulations go into effect in 2026, with the biggest change being the disappearance of the MGU-H from the engine. This will make the engine a lot cheaper to make, making it more interesting for new parties to step in. In addition, as for F1 teams, there will be a budget cap for manufacturers and there will also be a limit on testing time.

FIA had circled 15 October as the date by which it wanted all entries for 2026 to be in. For now, however, it is only Audi that has openly signed up for 2026. Red Bull Powertrains, Renault, and Mercedes also seem to want to commit their future to F1, but have not yet made it official. Still, this will have to happen soon, as from 1 January 2023 the new budget cap guidelines go into effect for manufacturers and so all brands have to comply with them, whether they join in 2026 or not.

Ferrari gets in the way

The biggest concerns surround Ferrari, which is reportedly even considering using its veto power to block these new rules. Ferrari understands that Audi gets an advantage in terms of budget and testing time to catch up with the other manufacturers, but does not want to agree to Red Bull Powertrains also getting that advantage as a new supplier. After all, they would have gained a lot of knowledge by working with Honda and attracting top personnel.

Porsche's future is also still uncertain. The other party in the Volkswagen Group has made no secret of its desire to enter F1 in 2026, but a deal with Red Bull Racing ultimately failed to materialise. Since then, things have remained very quiet around the iconic brand.

Meanwhile, the FIA is not worried that the deadline has passed and big names are still missing from the list. ''But honestly, at the beginning, when you have somebody new [like Audi], the old ones will always resist it, and they will have a much more powerful way with the FIA to discuss. But once one is signed, then the second then the third, then you will see it's done,'' said the calm Mohammed Ben Sulayem opposite Autosport.com.