Ferrari could soon find itself on the losing side of one of the most important Formula 1 political battles of the modern hybrid era.
As discussions intensify over potential changes to the 2027 Formula 1 power unit regulations, momentum appears to be building behind a proposal that would significantly reduce the importance of electrification and shift the balance back toward the internal combustion engine.
The revised concept under discussion would reportedly move Formula 1 away from the planned 50/50 energy split between electric power and combustion, instead favouring a 60/40 distribution in favour of the ICE.
While Ferrari and Audi remain opposed to the proposal, fresh reports now suggest that Honda and Cadillac have privately aligned themselves with Red Bull and Mercedes—potentially leaving Ferrari isolated in a vote that could reshape the future direction of Formula 1 engine development.
Ferrari’s 2027 Formula 1 concerns becoming increasingly serious
The debate surrounding the 2027 regulations is about far more than technical philosophy. For Ferrari, the issue could directly impact years of development work already invested into the next generation of Formula 1 power units.
The Italian manufacturer is believed to have focused heavily on electrical deployment and battery optimisation within its 2026 and 2027 engine concepts. A late shift toward a more combustion-focused formula could therefore reduce the value of Ferrari’s current development direction and potentially erase advantages the team hoped to gain.
There are also concerns inside Maranello that reducing the role of electrical systems could limit the strategic importance of mechanisms like ADUO, the development concessions system designed to help manufacturers close performance gaps.
Audi reportedly shares many of Ferrari’s concerns, particularly from a financial perspective. Changing the architecture of the power units this late in the process could force manufacturers into expensive redesign programmes without any meaningful adjustment to Formula 1’s cost cap structure.
Despite those objections, the political balance inside Formula 1 now appears to be shifting.
Honda and Cadillac reportedly move toward Red Bull and Mercedes position
Initially, both Honda and Cadillac were believed to be undecided regarding the proposed changes.
However, according to reports from Road & Track, both manufacturers have now privately expressed support for the 60/40 engine concept favoured by Red Bull and Mercedes.
That development could prove decisive. Formula 1 only requires support from four manufacturers for the regulation changes to pass. With Mercedes, Red Bull, Honda and Cadillac now reportedly aligned, Ferrari and Audi could effectively be outvoted regardless of their objections. The broader direction of the debate also reflects increasing pressure from drivers and teams who believe Formula 1’s future regulations risk becoming overly dependent on battery management and energy-saving systems.
Max Verstappen has been among the most vocal critics of the current philosophy. The Red Bull driver has repeatedly suggested that Formula 1 risks losing its racing identity if future cars become too dominated by electrical deployment restrictions and energy management complexity.
Although a complete return to purely combustion-focused engines is unrealistic in the short term, the proposed 60/40 compromise appears designed to move Formula 1 back toward a more traditional driving experience while still maintaining hybrid relevance.
Time pressure growing ahead of 2027 Formula 1 development race
One of the biggest problems facing Formula 1 is timing. Teams and manufacturers are already deep into long-term engine planning, and uncertainty over the regulations is creating increasing pressure behind the scenes.
Sky Sports F1 commentator David Croft recently revealed details of a conversation with Cadillac project leader Pat Symonds, who reportedly stressed that manufacturers need clarity urgently in order to finalise development pathways.
According to Croft, Pat Symonds explained that Cadillac still had multiple engineering directions available, but that decisions on the 2027 rules needed to arrive quickly so the company could commit to a final engine architecture. The financial implications are also becoming a major talking point.
Audi is believed to have raised concerns that the proposed regulation shift could require tens of millions of additional dollars in development spending at a time when manufacturers are already operating within strict financial limitations.
That has reportedly led to discussions about possible flexibility within the Formula 1 cost cap system should the rule changes move forward.
Red Bull could still face risks despite backing the changes
Interestingly, despite Red Bull publicly supporting the new direction, some insiders believe the Milton Keynes operation could also face complications if Formula 1 changes the engine architecture too aggressively.
With Red Bull Powertrains still relatively early in its lifecycle compared to established manufacturers, any major homologation adjustments could create fresh technical uncertainty for the team’s long-term project.
For now, however, the bigger picture is becoming clearer: Formula 1 appears to be moving toward a future with less emphasis on electrification—and Ferrari may no longer have the political numbers needed to stop it.
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