How many engines can an F1 driver use?
A · Advanced · Penalties and cars · 1 of 1From the moment a car leaves the pits in qualifying until the race start, it is in parc fermé: no parts may be changed except listed work, or the car starts from the pit lane. Each driver may use three engines, turbochargers and exhaust sets and two energy stores, control electronics and MGU-Ks a season. Extra elements bring grid penalties.
How it works
- Parc fermé: qualifying to race.
- Changes: listed work only.
- Breach: pit lane start.
- Engines: three a season.
- Energy stores: two.
- MGU-K: two; no MGU-H.
- First extra element: ten places.
- Each later one: five places.
The glossary has the parc fermé, the power unit, the grid penalty, the energy recovery, the pit lane start and the Super Licence.
Tricky cases
A team changes the set-up overnight after qualifying. Result?
A pit lane start.
A driver has 20 places of penalties. Where do they start?
At the back.
Is there still an MGU-H?
No.
Are cars checked after the race?
Yes, in parc fermé.
Why the rule exists
Limits on parts cut costs and stop teams building special qualifying cars.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Parc fermé | No changes | L B3.5 |
| Engines | Three | L B8.2.2 |
| Over 15 places | Back of grid | L B2.5.4b |
From the rule book
FIA, 2026 Formula 1 Regulations, Section B: Sporting (issue 7, 25 June 2026), articles B2.5.4, B3.5, B3.6 and B8.2. Checked 15 October 2026. Official documents: FIA 2026 F1 Regulations, Sections A and B.