2026 rules · Updated for 2026
F1 Energy Store explained
The high-voltage battery that connects harvesting decisions to later deployment.
Quick answer
The Energy Store is the power unit's battery. It accepts electrical energy recovered by the MGU-K and supplies that energy when the car deploys hybrid power.
01
Energy, not endless power
A battery may be capable of high power but holds a finite amount of usable energy. Spending aggressively on one straight can reduce what remains for the next.
02
State of charge
Software and engineers manage the battery within regulatory, thermal and reliability limits. Onboard displays give the driver the information needed for tactical decisions.
03
Part of the power unit
The Energy Store is regulated and allocated as its own power-unit element, so replacing too many during a season can contribute to penalties.