Agreement Reached on Proposed F1 Regulatory Changes
Formula 1’s governing body, the FIA, has reached an agreement with teams, Formula One Management, and power unit manufacturers on a significant package of regulatory changes that will shape the sport’s future in the 2027 and 2028 seasons. The decision follows months of discussions prompted by concerns surrounding the new generation of power units introduced in 2026 and their impact on racing, energy management, and driver experience.
The agreed changes are designed to improve the spectacle of Formula 1 while maintaining the championship’s commitment to sustainability and technological innovation. Since the introduction of the latest hybrid regulations, drivers and teams have expressed concerns about the increasing emphasis on energy management during races and qualifying sessions. Many felt that the need to constantly manage battery deployment and energy harvesting was reducing opportunities for drivers to push at maximum pace.
To address these concerns, stakeholders have approved a staged adjustment to the balance between internal combustion engine (ICE) power and electric power. Under the current 2026 regulations, the power split stands at 53 percent combustion power and 47 percent electrical power. Beginning in 2027, this balance will shift to 58 percent combustion and 42 percent electrical power. A further adjustment will take place in 2028, when the split will move to 60 percent combustion and 40 percent electrical power.
The changes also include an increase in the output of the internal combustion engine. Maximum ICE power will rise from 400kW in 2026 to 420kW in 2027 before increasing again to 450kW in 2028. Alongside this, fuel flow rates will be increased by five percent in 2027 and by 13 percent in 2028. These measures are intended to give drivers greater performance and reduce the need for excessive energy-saving tactics.
Meanwhile, the electric motor component of the power unit, known as the MGU-K, will see its maximum power reduced from 350kW to 300kW starting in 2027. However, overtaking modes will continue to provide enhanced deployment capabilities to ensure exciting wheel-to-wheel racing. The FIA believes this balance will create more natural racing conditions while preserving the hybrid technology that remains central to Formula 1’s future.
The agreement comes after extensive consultations involving teams, manufacturers, and drivers. Throughout the opening races of the 2026 season, concerns emerged about cars requiring too much energy management, particularly in qualifying sessions where drivers were often unable to push flat-out for entire laps. Several leading drivers argued that this created artificial racing situations and detracted from the sport’s traditional challenge.
Formula 1 officials have emphasized that the objective is not to abandon hybrid technology but to refine it. The sport remains committed to sustainable fuels and advanced energy recovery systems, yet stakeholders agreed that adjustments were necessary to ensure racing remains exciting and accessible for fans. FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem described the agreement as another example of collaboration between all parties involved in the championship, balancing innovation with competitive entertainment.
In addition to the technical changes, supporting amendments to sporting and financial regulations are also expected to be introduced. These updates will help teams adapt to the revised power unit framework while maintaining cost control and competitive fairness across the grid.
The proposed package will now be submitted to the FIA World Motor Sport Council for final approval later this month. If ratified, teams and manufacturers will receive early clarity on the future direction of the regulations, allowing them sufficient time to prepare for the next phase of Formula 1’s technological evolution.
With agreement finally reached, Formula 1 appears set to enter a new chapter that aims to preserve the benefits of hybrid technology while delivering the flat-out racing and on-track excitement that drivers, teams, and fans have been calling for.