The governing body has issued an invitation to participate in the tender for the SECU contract, which will run for five seasons from 2026 to 2030.

F1 has been using the SECU since 2008 following a tender process that was launched in 2006.

The overall idea was to give the FIA ​​a better understanding of what teams are doing, as well as more opportunities to stop the use of banned technologies such as launching or traction control.

The first contract was won by a joint venture between Microsoft and McLaren Electronic systems.

Since then, McLaren has remained the sole supplier, most recently through a renamed Applied division. Therefore, the company should be seen as a favorite to sign a new contract, and any competitors will have to submit impressive bids to remove the incumbent president.

Bidders have limited time to respond, as the deadline for applications is March 25.

Candidates will then be invited to submit their applications for interviews in mid-April, and a decision will be made by the end of this month.

The successful participant faces a difficult schedule, especially given that the final regulations of the 2026 power unit have not yet been published in detail.

The winner must provide competitors with the first set of hardware and software specifications – i.e. teams and their PU vendors – by July 1, 2023, and then a pre-production sample for testing by October 1.

The final specification should be frozen until January 14, 2024. By early next month, teams must place their initial orders for the 2026 season and for any tests they wish to conduct prior to that. The first deliveries of three units per team must be guaranteed by July 1, 2024.

The FIA ​​has made it clear that as end customers the teams and suppliers of power units will play a role in reviewing applications.

It states: “Due to the scope and implications of the contract to supply the SECU for the championship, the FIA ​​intends to share applications with teams and powertrain manufacturers for their comments to the FIA.

“The FIA ​​will also organize meetings at which bidders will be invited to submit their proposals and answer questions from the FIA, teams and manufacturers of power units. By submitting bids, bidders confirm and agree to these terms.”

The governing body has issued an invitation to participate in the tender for the SECU contract, which will run for five seasons from 2026 to 2030.

F1 has been using the SECU since 2008 following a tender process that was launched in 2006.

The overall idea was to give the FIA ​​a better understanding of what teams are doing, as well as more opportunities to stop the use of banned technologies such as launching or traction control.

The first contract was won by a joint venture between Microsoft and McLaren Electronic systems.

Since then, McLaren has remained the sole supplier, most recently through a renamed Applied division. Therefore, the company should be seen as a favorite to sign a new contract, and any competitors will have to submit impressive bids to remove the incumbent president.

Bidders have limited time to respond, as the deadline for applications is March 25.

Candidates will then be invited to submit their applications for interviews in mid-April, and a decision will be made by the end of this month.

The successful participant faces a difficult schedule, especially given that the final regulations of the 2026 power unit have not yet been published in detail.

The winner must provide competitors with the first set of hardware and software specifications – i.e. teams and their PU vendors – by July 1, 2023, and then a pre-production sample for testing by October 1.

The final specification should be frozen until January 14, 2024. By early next month, teams must place their initial orders for the 2026 season and for any tests they wish to conduct prior to that. The first deliveries of three units per team must be guaranteed by July 1, 2024.

The FIA ​​has made it clear that as end customers the teams and suppliers of power units will play a role in reviewing applications.

It states: “Due to the scope and implications of the contract to supply the SECU for the championship, the FIA ​​intends to share applications with teams and powertrain manufacturers for their comments to the FIA.

“The FIA ​​will also organize meetings at which bidders will be invited to submit their proposals and answer questions from the FIA, teams and manufacturers of power units. By submitting bids, bidders confirm and agree to these terms.”