The FIA has granted an exemption to F1's fuel suppliers to run non-compliant fuels during the upcoming pre-season tests, it has been reported.
For 2026, the new breed of F1 power units must feature 100% sustainable fuel, with the entire process required to be carbon neutral, with the new fuels and lubricants expected to be a major performance differentiator between the teams.
The new fuels can be developed on either a synthetic basis, mixing hydrogen and carbon dixoide from the air, or on a biomass basis, but it is a complex task.
Given this scale, Auto Motor und Sport has reported that some fuel suppliers requested to the FIA that an exception be made for pre-season testing not to use the fully-compliant fuels, with F1's governing body reportedly accepting this request.
The homologation process for the fuels is also lengthy, but AMuS has also reported that for 2027, the exemption is to be closed meaning pre-season testing in 2027 must be run on fully compliant fuel.
Below is a full table of which teams are using which fuel suppliers in the 2026 season.
2026 F1 fuel suppliers
| Team(s) | Power unit | Fuel supplier |
|---|---|---|
| Mercedes, Alpine, McLaren, Williams | Mercedes | Petronas |
| Ferrari, Cadillac, Haas | Ferrari | Shell |
| Aston Martin | Honda | Aramco |
| Red Bull, Racing Bulls | Red Bull Powertrains | ExxonMobil |
| Audi | Audi | Castrol |
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Discover how the 2026 F1 regulations will revolutionise the sport, with a shift to movable wings instead of traditional DRS, to the increased electrical power in the hybrid systems, and the introduction of 100% sustainable fuel.
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