Formula 1 teams will be allowed to deploy their 2025 cars for 'Testing of Previous Cars' (TPC) programmes in 2026, Auto Motor und Sport reports.
Typically, TPC regulations mandate that historic cars used on test tracks—often for young driver development—must be at least two years old. Yet, with sweeping rule changes set for 2026, an exception will see 2025 single-seaters permitted next year.
Journalist Michael Schmidt warns this poses challenges for teams switching engine suppliers.
Take Sauber, currently Ferrari-powered but transitioning to Audi's works team in 2026. "Ferrari is not particularly interested in continuing to provide Sauber with engines for the 2025 car because Audi would then have a benchmark and might get too much information from a competitor's product," Schmidt revealed.
"And even if Maranello were to agree, the price would be so high that one has to ask whether it is worth it. There is talk of $3-5 million per engine," he added.
Aston Martin, shifting from Mercedes customer engines to Honda's works power in 2026, faces no such deterrent. "They are not put off by the high costs," Schmidt confirmed, "especially as it is not part of the budget cap. Mercedes has only one condition. Aston Martin must run its TPC programme from an external building with a separate team, thus clearly distinguishing itself from the operational team that is supplied with engines by Honda."
Alpine, moving from Renault works engines to Mercedes customer power in 2026, has a plan. "A small group of Renault engineers will be available at Viry-Chatillon for the TPC tests, who will look after the 2025 (Renault) power units before the 2026 Alpine-Mercedes can be used in 2028," Schmidt explained.
Red Bull's switch to its own Ford-backed engines in 2026, meanwhile, complicates matters for the team. "The situation is more difficult," Schmidt noted. Yet advisor Dr Helmut Marko remains unfazed: "There is an agreement (with Honda) for the future."
