FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has released a statement confirming “invaluable” discussions with current Formula 1 drivers regarding the sport’s 2026 power unit regulations, as concerns grow over safety and performance under the new rules.
The upcoming regulation set will introduce a 50/50 split between internal combustion and electrical power, a change that has drawn criticism from the vast majority of the grid. Drivers have highlighted several issues, including potentially dangerous closing speeds between cars and the need for extensive lift-and-coast during qualifying laps to manage energy deployment. Both factors have raised questions about on-track safety and the quality of racing.
Originally, further meetings between the FIA, Formula 1, and the teams were planned to take place after the opening rounds of the season. However, the cancellations of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix in April opened an unexpected window for dialogue. That gap has allowed stakeholders to accelerate discussions and table proposals in time for the Miami Grand Prix weekend at the start of May.
Throughout April, the FIA has held a series of meetings with technical representatives from the teams, power unit manufacturers, and Formula One Management to examine possible amendments to the 2026 framework. Crucially, Ben Sulayem confirmed that drivers have now been formally consulted as part of that process. Their input has centered on areas they believe require adjustment, with a strong emphasis on energy management to ensure racing remains safe, fair, and competitive.
The driver feedback comes ahead of a pivotal meeting scheduled for Monday, April 20. On that date, the FIA will sit down with Formula 1 CEOs and team principals to review the proposals and discuss what changes could be implemented starting from Miami. The goal is to align sporting, technical, and commercial stakeholders before moving to the next stage of governance.
Following the April 20 meeting, the FIA will draft a final set of proposals. Those proposals will then be submitted to the FIA World Motor Sport Council for approval via an electronic vote. If passed, the changes would be incorporated into the 2026 regulations before teams lock in their final power unit designs.
In his statement, Ben Sulayem said: “I am delighted to report that there has been constructive and collaborative discussion between the FIA and the Formula 1 drivers ahead of tomorrow’s CEOs and team principals meeting to discuss potential changes to the 2026 Regulations. The drivers have provided invaluable input on adjustments which they feel should be made, particularly in the areas of energy management to ensure safe, fair and competitive racing. The FIA has also held a series of meetings over the past few weeks with technical representatives from the teams, power unit manufacturers and FOM to discuss proposed changes. Safety and the best interests of the sport are the main focus of these discussions. Following the meeting tomorrow, the final proposals will be put before a FIA WMSC e-vote.”
The statement underscores a shift toward greater driver involvement in shaping technical regulations, especially on matters that directly affect safety and drivability. With 2026 set to usher in one of the biggest technical overhauls in recent F1 history, the FIA appears keen to avoid a scenario where fundamental flaws only emerge once the cars hit the track.
For teams and manufacturers, the timeline is tight. Power unit development for 2026 is already advanced, and any regulatory tweaks must balance competitive integrity with engineering feasibility. For drivers, the priority is clear: ensure the new formula produces racing that is both challenging and safe, without artificial compromises like excessive lift-and-coast or unpredictable speed differentials.
The April 20 meeting will be the first real test of whether consensus can be reached. If the CEOs and team bosses back the driver-led suggestions, the WMSC e-vote could formalize changes quickly. If not, the sport may face a more protracted debate heading into the summer.
Either way, Ben Sulayem’s message signals that the FIA is listening. By bringing drivers into the room early, the governing body hopes to deliver a 2026 ruleset that avoids the pitfalls currently being flagged by the very people who will have to race with them.