How powerful is an F1 engine?

In Formula 1, engines are no longer simple naturally aspirated units; the term “power unit” has been used for years, and today, several components combine to produce around 1,000 hp.

When the curtain rises on a Grand Prix, all eyes turn to the drivers, but the real drama often unfolds behind the closed doors of the engine factories. According to some sources, this season's engines are already approaching the 900 horsepower mark, while other insiders claim that the combustion part alone has broken the 1,000 horsepower barrier, although nothing has been officially confirmed.

Former Renault director Cyril Abiteboul broke his silence in Auto Hebdo, claiming that his team's engine develops at least 1,000 horsepower when the 161 horsepower from the MGU-K is added. “We have exceeded the kilowatt threshold in several Grand Prix races,” he said, “and the data (graphs, measurements, GPS recordings) confirm this. The only thing holding us back is the risk of overworking the engine.” Physics doesn't lie. Hypercars can reach the 1,000 hp mark, but they carry around two tons of metal. In contrast, an F1 car weighs only 745 kg with the driver and, with an advertised power output of 1,000 hp, has an impressive power-to-weight ratio of around 1.34 hp per kilogram (or 745 g per hp). Compare that to the Bugatti Chiron, which weighs around two tons and has 1,500 hp, giving it a ratio of 0.75 hp/kg (1.33 kg per hp). In other words, an F1 car delivers around twice as much power per kilogram as a Chiron.

From a technical standpoint, engine power is measured in watts, the SI unit representing one joule of energy transferred per second. Modern F1 engines are true hybrids, combining three energy sources: the turbocharged internal combustion engine, the heat recovery MGU-H, and the kinetic recovery MGU-K, the latter storing its energy in a high-capacity battery. This combination allows teams to get the most out of every joule of fuel and electricity, while keeping the total power output a secret.