Formula 1 teams have agreed to make sweeping changes to the engine regulations after just four rounds of racing under the widely criticised new ruleset. The roughly 50/50 split between combustion and electrical power is set to be scrapped following a wave of complaints from both fans and drivers regarding the 2026 cars and engines.
It was agreed at a meeting of teams, engine manufacturers and senior figures from F1 and the FIA that hardware modifications are necessary to tackle the numerous concerns that have been raised. And rather than waiting until 2028, there was sufficient backing to fast-track the process and vote in revised regulations for the 2027 season.
A central element of the agreed changes is a reduced dependence on electrical power, with the ratio now expected to shift closer to 60/40 in favour of combustion. To enable this, an increase in fuel flow has been approved, delivering an additional 50kW of power from internal combustion.
As a result, electrical power from the battery will be cut by the same amount, dropping from 350kW to 300kW. The new rules have been rubber-stamped with remarkably little notice, given that substantial hardware alterations will be required to bring them into effect.
Engines will need to be more robust to handle the greater internal combustion demands, while modifications to the car's chassis will also need to be considered to accommodate the larger fuel tanks that will be required. The move to implement such sweeping changes follows a series of minor tweaks agreed ahead of last weekend's Miami Grand Prix. Further small adjustments remain on the cards as the current season unfolds, ahead of the more substantial overhaul now set to be introduced for the 2027 campaign.
A statement from the FIA read: "Evaluation of the Miami package is ongoing with a view to the introduction of further adjustments at future events. These include improved start-safety revisions and measures to improve safety under wet conditions. These will be communicated to teams once defined. Improvements to the visual-signalling measures are being evaluated for the Canadian Grand Prix."
The finer details of the 2027 changes have yet to be finalised, however. "Detailed discussion in technical groups comprising teams and power unit manufacturers is required before the final package is decided," the FIA statement continued. The agreed changes must now pass through the F1 Commission and the Power Unit Advisory Committee, the latter of which comprises all five engine manufacturers in the sport: Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull, Honda and Audi. They must then be formally ratified by the World Motor Sport Council, although that concluding step is widely expected to be little more than a formality.
