If Formula 1 wants to introduce radical changes, such as shifting to a 60/40 split between the internal combustion engine and electric power, time is starting to run out. Such a move would also require a larger fuel tank. However, approving this type of change demands a supermajority, with at least four out of five power unit manufacturers in agreement.
The next two weeks will be decisive in defining the specifications of the power units that will be used from the 2027 season onward. A formal meeting has not yet been officially scheduled, but the calendar itself is putting pressure on Formula 1 engine manufacturers to reach a decision quickly.
If the choice is to stick with the current power unit concept, limiting adjustments to minor tweaks like those introduced ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, there will still be room for further discussion, evaluation, and potential refinements over time.
The situation changes significantly, however, when it comes to more extensive modifications. Time is particularly tight for interventions such as revising the current balance of power between the internal combustion engine and the electric component. For weeks, discussions have been ongoing about the possibility of moving away from the current 50/50 split toward a 60/40 ratio in favor of the combustion engine—a solution that would significantly reduce the need for lift-and-coast and superclipping.
Such a change, however, would require a supermajority among manufacturers, meaning at least four out of the five engine suppliers would need to vote in favor.
For those pushing for a technical shift, the main obstacle remains time. According to several teams, the window to approve such a significant modification will close by mid-May. A key factor is the advanced stage of development of the 2026 cars: increasing the output of the internal combustion engine from the current 530 horsepower to around 600 horsepower would result in higher fuel consumption, making a larger fuel tank necessary. This, in turn, would have a notable impact on car packaging and overall design constraints.
This position is supported by teams that are less inclined toward change. On the opposite side, however, others are downplaying the issue. “If a decision is made within two weeks, there is time to do everything,” explained one team principal, emphasizing that, when it comes to fuel limitations, a possible fallback solution could be to reduce race distance by three laps in the worst-case scenario.
The ultimate goal of these proposed changes is to promote a driving style closer to what was seen up to the 2025 season, restoring a level of driver engagement and feeling that has come under criticism during the early phase of the current campaign.
For now, strict confidentiality surrounds the positions of the various manufacturers, with no official stances publicly confirmed. It is widely believed that Mercedes may not support major changes, but in the face of a united front from its rivals, it could be forced to adapt. The key battleground therefore lies between Honda, Audi, Red Bull Powertrains, and Ferrari. According to paddock rumors, Honda and Red Bull are in favor of the changes, while the positions of Ferrari and Audi remain unclear.
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