Engine

20 changes, oldest first.

1950 introduced

1.5-litre supercharged or 4.5-litre naturally aspirated engines

The pre-war Formula 1 engine rules carried over: supercharged engines up to 1,500 cc or unsupercharged engines up to 4,500 cc. Source

1952 changed

Championship run to Formula 2 rules: 2.0-litre unsupercharged or 500 cc supercharged

With too few Formula 1 cars entered after Alfa Romeo withdrew, the world championship races of 1952 and 1953 were run for Formula 2 cars. Source

1954 introduced

2.5-litre naturally aspirated or 750 cc supercharged engines

A new Formula 1 came into force and ran until 1960. No team chose the supercharged option. Source

1961 introduced

1.5-litre naturally aspirated engines, 450 kg minimum weight

Engine capacity fell to 1,500 cc unsupercharged (the former Formula 2 limit), with a minimum car weight of 450 kg, self-starters and a roll-over bar required. The formula ran to 1965. Source

1965 changed

Last year of the 1.5-litre formula

Clark's Lotus-Climax dominated the final 1.5-litre season before the 3-litre rules. Source

1966 introduced

3.0-litre naturally aspirated or 1.5-litre supercharged engines ('return to power')

Engine capacity doubled to 3,000 cc unsupercharged, with a supercharged alternative at 1,500 cc that was later used for turbocharged engines. Minimum weight 500 kg. Source

1972 changed

Maximum of 12 cylinders; minimum weight 550 kg

Engines were limited to twelve cylinders, ruling out the H16 layout. Source

1977 introduced

First turbocharged car

Renault entered the RS01 with a 1.5-litre turbocharged V6 at the British Grand Prix, using the supercharged option in the rules. Source

1986 changed

Turbocharged engines only; fuel limit 195 litres

Naturally aspirated engines were excluded for one season and the fuel allowance fell to 195 litres. Source

1987 changed

Turbo boost limited to 4.0 bar; 3.5-litre naturally aspirated engines allowed again

A pop-off valve capped boost pressure, and a 3.5-litre atmospheric class returned with its own trophies (Jim Clark and Colin Chapman cups). Source

1988 changed

Turbo boost 2.5 bar, 150-litre fuel limit

The last turbo season before the ban restricted boost and fuel further; McLaren-Honda won 15 of 16 races. Source

1989 banned

Turbocharged engines banned

Only 3.5-litre naturally aspirated engines were permitted, a formula that ran until 1994. Source

1995 changed

Engines cut to 3.0 litres

Capacity fell from 3.5 to 3.0 litres, and a stepped floor (raised sections either side of the plank) replaced the flat bottom. Source

2000 changed

V10 engines only

Engine layout was restricted to ten cylinders. Source

2004 changed

One engine per race weekend

Changing an engine before the race meant a ten-place grid penalty; launch control and fully automatic gearboxes were banned again. Source

2005 changed

One engine per two race weekends

Engines had to last two Grands Prix. Source

2006 introduced

2.4-litre V8 engines

Engine capacity fell from 3.0-litre V10 to 2.4-litre V8, with a rev-limited V10 allowed for small teams. Source

2007 introduced

Engine development freeze

Engine specifications were frozen for several seasons, with limited reliability changes allowed. Source

2014 introduced

1.6-litre V6 turbo hybrid power units

Turbocharged V6 engines with energy recovery from the brakes (MGU-K) and the turbo (MGU-H), a 100 kg race fuel limit and a 100 kg/h fuel-flow limit, five power units per season. Source

2026 introduced

New power units: roughly half electric, no MGU-H, fully sustainable fuel

The 1.6-litre V6 stays but the MGU-H is removed, electrical output rises to about 350 kW, and the fuel is 100% sustainable. Source