F1 | FIA changes TPC regulations as Red Bull and Honda reach agreement over Yuki Tsunoda. The FIA has updated TPC testing rules.

The FIA has updated the regulations on TPC testing, obliging engine manufacturers to supply power units to former clients. Red Bull has reached an agreement with Honda concerning Yuki Tsunoda, according to a report by Roberto Chinchero for Motorsport.com, which also analyses the situations of Alpine, Aston Martin, and Audi. These teams, starting from 2026, will use engines from new suppliers and will therefore need different units for TPC tests of previous cars.

The year 2026 marks a technical revolution and a major shake-up among engine suppliers in the F1 paddock. Alpine will officially switch to Mercedes power units, abandoning its Viry-Chatillon development program. Aston Martin will welcome Honda engines, which are leaving Red Bull and relocating to Silverstone. Red Bull, together with Racing Bulls, will rely on new units developed in collaboration with Ford. Finally, Audi engines will make their F1 debut.

This scenario raised a key question regarding TPC testing (Testing of Previous Cars): if a team changes its engine supplier, which power unit should be installed on the previous season’s car? The FIA intervention clarified this issue, mandating that suppliers must provide engines to former clients upon request. However, the Federation does not appear to have imposed a cost cap on this service, leading to rapidly escalating expenses.

Alpine benefits while Tsunoda’s situation draws attention

Alpine is well-positioned, as their own engine program continues through the end of 2025, allowing them to rely on units produced at Viry-Chatillon. Additionally, the French team can offer a number of testing days to the market—Roberto Chinchero notes in Motorsport.com that there are already potential clients, including Aston Martin and Audi.

Meanwhile, the negotiations between Red Bull and Honda are particularly intriguing. The Austrian team has reached an agreement with the Japanese manufacturer for the coming seasons, in discussions that also involved Yuki Tsunoda. Although Yuki Tsunoda will not race in 2026, he will maintain his role as a reserve and test driver.

As the grid prepares for the biggest technical overhaul in a generation, the FIA’s seemingly small TPC tweak has already reshaped driver contracts, testing plans and multi-million-euro deals behind the scenes.