FIA Confirm Another F1 Rule Shake-Up After Engine Debate
The FIA have announced yet another major adjustment to Formula 1’s regulations, continuing a wave of changes that have already transformed the sport’s technical landscape ahead of the 2026 era.
Following heated discussions surrounding the new generation of power units, motorsport’s governing body has now confirmed fresh changes in principle for 2027 that will once again alter the balance between electrical power and the internal combustion engine (ICE).
The original 2026 regulations introduced one of the biggest technical revolutions in modern F1 history, placing far greater emphasis on electrical energy. Under those rules, power delivery was split evenly between the battery-powered Energy Recovery System (ERS) and the traditional ICE in a 50-50 configuration.
However, concerns raised by teams and manufacturers over drivability, energy harvesting, and racing quality have prompted the FIA to rethink aspects of the formula.
Under the newly proposed 2027 adjustments, ICE power will increase by 50kW, while ERS deployment power will be reduced by the same amount. The change effectively shifts the balance back toward combustion power, creating a new 60-40 split in favour of the ICE.
Despite the heavier reliance on combustion engines, Formula 1’s sustainability targets remain intact because the engines will continue running entirely on sustainable fuels. The FIA insists the championship is still on course to achieve its ambitious carbon neutrality target by 2030.
The governing body also made it clear that the rule tweak will only move forward with the approval of current power unit manufacturers, underlining the FIA’s desire to maintain cooperation with engine suppliers amid the ongoing technical transition.
One of the main motivations behind the adjustment is to reduce the amount of energy harvesting drivers currently need to perform during races. The existing regulations have led to concerns over excessive “lifting and coasting” and “super clipping,” where drivers must manage battery deployment aggressively to avoid running out of electrical power on straights.
By lowering ERS deployment demands, the FIA hopes to improve racing quality and make cars more consistent and predictable throughout a lap.
Alongside the 2027 engine revisions, the FIA also confirmed several additional sporting regulation changes for the remainder of the 2026 season after successful testing during the Miami Grand Prix weekend.
Among the confirmed measures is a new “low power start detection” system designed to improve safety during race starts. The technology identifies cars suffering from unusually poor acceleration immediately after clutch release and automatically deploys extra MGU-K power to ensure a minimum acceleration threshold is maintained.
The FIA also approved reduced maximum ERS deployment in low-grip conditions, a move aimed at improving car control during wet or slippery races.
In another change, tyre blanket temperatures for intermediate tyres will be increased to help drivers generate grip more effectively in difficult weather conditions.
The latest announcements highlight how aggressively Formula 1 and the FIA are continuing to refine the sport’s future regulations, with the governing body showing a willingness to respond quickly to concerns from teams, drivers, and manufacturers as the new era approaches.