The MGU-K, or Motor Generator Unit — Kinetic, is a component of the Formula 1 hybrid power unit that recovers electrical energy under braking and stores it in the battery. It can then be deployed to provide an additional boost of up to 120 kilowatts — roughly 160 horsepower — at moments chosen by the driver and team. The MGU-K is retained in the 2026 regulations and remains a key part of the Formula 1 hybrid system. Managing its deployment is a crucial part of lap time.
Example: He’s getting a huge boost from the MGU-K down the back straight — that electrical deployment is adding serious speed.
The MGU-K is not DRS — they are separate systems. The MGU-K provides electrical power from stored energy, while DRS physically opens the rear wing to reduce drag.
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