FIA requires Ferrari, Mercedes, and Honda to continue supplying engines for TPC tests

15:01, 30 Jul

byNicole Mulder

From 2026, a completely new technical regulation will come into effect in Formula 1, with major changes to the chassis, aerodynamics, and engines. However, manufacturers such as Ferrari, Mercedes, and Honda may not yet be able to part with their current engines. The reason: the so-called TPC program (Testing of Previous Cars).

TPC tests – in which only cars at least two years old may be used – are traditionally deployed for rookies. But also regular drivers, like Max Verstappen and the McLaren drivers, recently drove TPC sessions with older cars to collect test data. The value of the program is therefore large, but its future seemed to be in danger due to the introduction of the new engine rules.

FIA intervenes: Manufacturers must continue to supply

Because multiple Formula 1 teams are switching to a different engine manufacturer in 2026, a problem arose: they would no longer have access to usable test cars with working engines. According to Motorsport.com the FIA has intervened and an agreement has been made stating that engine suppliers with expiring contracts must continue to supply their former customer teams with power units for TPC purposes for two more years.

This would mean that engine suppliers Ferrari, Mercedes and Honda are obligated by the FIA to also provide their former customer teams - such as Sauber, Haas (Ferrari), Aston Martin, Williams, McLaren (Mercedes), and Red Bull and Racing Bulls (Honda) – with the current power units in 2026 and 2027.

For Alpine, the situation is different. The team now drives with Renault engines, but will switch to Mercedes in 2026. For TPC tests, the French team can continue to use its own engines, unless the factory decides to stop production and also cease maintenance of current engines.

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Higher costs for TPC tests

The regulations would apply to 2026 and 2027, so TPC programs can continue with cars from 2024 and 2025. From 2028, teams can also use test cars built under the new regulation.

Since TPC tests fall outside the budget cap, there are no requirements regarding the costs. This could potentially cause the cost of the tests to rise significantly or even double. For the larger teams, this doesn't seem to be a problem, but for smaller teams, it might be a different story.