Formula 1 Engine Design Changes Agreed After Criticism
Formula 1 has agreed on a two-step plan to modify engine design in response to criticism of the new regulations introduced this year.
Drivers have expressed concerns that the nearly equal split between internal combustion and electrical power, along with the emphasis on energy management, has reduced the challenge during qualifying sessions.
Four-time world champion Max Verstappen voiced strong dissatisfaction with the new engines, stating he would consider quitting F1 if changes were not implemented. Other drivers also concurred that the issue required attention.
Engine suppliers have consented to adjust the power split to 60-40 in favor of the internal combustion engine (ICE) by 2028, implementing this change in two phases.
This compromise follows a month of discussions, with Ferrari and Audi leading efforts to avoid a single-step shift to 60-40 in 2027.
A statement from the FIA, the sport's governing body, explained:
"The proposed changes are intended to address issues related to energy management and fuel energy-flow characteristics and make qualifying more flat-out while not impacting the positive and exciting racing generated by the new regulations."
The agreed plan will adjust the power split to 58-42 in 2027 before reaching 60-40 in 2028.
These changes will be achieved by increasing the fuel flow to the ICE by 5% in 2027 and 13% in 2028.
This will raise ICE power output from approximately 400kW (536bhp) this year to 420kW (563bhp) in 2027 and 450kW (603bhp) in 2028.
Conversely, power from the electrical component will decrease from 350kW (470bhp) this year to 300kW (402bhp) starting next year.
The maximum power available in overtake mode, which allows a driver within one second of a car ahead to deploy an extra 0.5MJ of energy per lap, will remain at 350kW.
However, the maximum harvesting power of the electrical unit will increase from 350kW this year to 375kW in 2027 and 400kW in 2028.
This adjustment will enable teams to recover energy more rapidly, reducing the time spent on energy recovery.
Criticism of Current Engine Performance
The primary criticism of this year's cars has been that the engines are energy-starved, as it is difficult to recover enough energy during a lap to meet the maximum allowance.
In early races, this led to unusual driving behavior, such as drivers lifting off the throttle and coasting during qualifying laps, and recovering energy while at full throttle.
This diminished the 'flat-out' nature of qualifying and prompted strong criticism from some drivers.
Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso remarked that fast corners have effectively become "the charging station for the car" due to the new regulations.
Following the first three races, a preliminary step was taken to address these concerns by reducing the maximum energy recovery allowed per lap and increasing the power recovery rate when at full throttle.
All drivers agreed this was a positive but limited improvement.
FIA Engine Performance Rankings and Upgrades
Alongside the rules agreement, the FIA has informed power-unit manufacturers of their engine performance rankings.
This is significant because manufacturers found to be more than 2% behind the most powerful engine are permitted to upgrade their engines this year and next.
While the FIA has not publicly released its findings, sources indicate that Red Bull possesses the most powerful engine.
Only the power of the internal combustion engine is measured; the efficiency of the electrical system's energy recovery and deployment is not considered.
Mercedes has been granted one permissible upgrade this season and another next season, while Ferrari, Audi, and Honda may make two upgrades in both 2026 and 2027.
Manufacturers allowed extra upgrades can also spend additional funds beyond the engine budget cap, scaled according to their performance deficit.
Furthermore, sources report that Honda's engine is over 10% less powerful than the best engine, triggering an additional allowance in the engine cost cap of up to $19 million (£14 million).
