F1, the FIA changes course: more power from the combustion engine and less electric

The approach toward the technical revolution of Formula 1 is undergoing an important technical deviation. In a recent online meeting involving the FIA, F1 management, Team Principals, and representatives from the five Power Unit manufacturers, a new performance balance was outlined for the power units that will debut in the upcoming regulatory cycle. The focus has shifted to the necessity of making the competition safer and more intuitive by directly intervening on the power delivery.

The reached principle agreement foresees a substantial change in the distribution of energy. Specifically, by 2027, there is a goal for a nominal increase in the power of the internal combustion engine (ICE) of approximately 50 kW, supported by a simultaneous increase in fuel flow. To compensate for this additional thermal boost, the plan anticipates a mirrored reduction of approximately 50 kW of the power delivered by the Energy Recovery System (ERS). This reshuffling of the cards aims to mitigate some critical issues that emerged in preliminary simulations, ensuring that the internal combustion engine retains a central role in the vehicle's dynamics.

Towards 2027: The balance of Power Units changes structure

Before projecting towards 2027, the commission analyzed the impact of regulatory changes already introduced during the Miami Grand Prix weekend. These measures, implemented to reduce excessive harvesting (the energy recovery that often led to unnatural behaviors of the car on track) and to improve safety standards, yielded positive results. According to FIA reports, no material problems or critical concerns emerged, confirming the validity of the corrective interventions on the 2026 framework.

The refinement process does not stop here. The Federation confirmed that continuous evaluation of the "Miami package" is underway to introduce further adjustments in upcoming events. Efforts will particularly focus on safety during the start phases and management of procedures in wet conditions. These technical specifications will be communicated to the teams once defined in detail, maintaining a constant evolutionary approach rather than a static one.

Despite the general agreement, the path to definitive ratification still requires crucial technical steps. The presented proposals are the result of extensive consultations that also included direct feedback from drivers, but defining the entire hardware package requires further discussions within technical working groups. Once the details are refined, the modifications will need to go through a vote from the Power Unit manufacturers and, ultimately, receive formal approval via an electronic vote from the World Motor Sport Council. The objective is to crystallize rules that make F1 not only technologically advanced but also capable of offering more linear racing that is less dependent on complex energy management strategies.