Ferrari appears to be facing a major political defeat behind the scenes in Formula 1, with the majority of power unit manufacturers now reportedly supporting the controversial engine regulation changes planned for 2027.
Over the last few weeks, discussions surrounding the future direction of Formula 1’s hybrid engines have intensified dramatically. At the centre of the debate is the proposed move toward a 60/40 split between the internal combustion engine and the electric component — a change designed to reduce the overwhelming dependence on battery deployment that has generated growing criticism throughout the paddock.
The proposal would significantly increase the role of the combustion engine compared to the current 50/50 concept and would force manufacturers to redesign important elements of their existing projects ahead of the next phase of Formula 1 regulations.
Ferrari has consistently opposed the idea, mainly because the Maranello team believes it has made substantial progress in recovering its power unit deficit through development work linked to the ADUO system. The Italian team reportedly sees the current direction of the regulations as an opportunity to continue closing the performance gap to rivals, particularly Mercedes.
However, recent developments suggest Ferrari may now be losing the political battle.
Honda and Cadillac reportedly swing the vote
According to respected Formula 1 journalist Adam Cooper in a report published by Road & Track, the majority of manufacturers have now voted in favour of introducing the revised engine concept from 2027 onward.
The decisive support reportedly came from Honda and Cadillac, two manufacturers whose final positions had remained uncertain until recently.
Cadillac’s decision is particularly interesting given the American manufacturer will initially use Ferrari power units after entering Formula 1, before transitioning to its own in-house engine project expected to arrive in 2029. Despite its temporary technical relationship with the Maranello team, Cadillac appears to have aligned itself with the majority position.
Honda also ultimately supported the proposal, leaving Ferrari and Audi increasingly isolated inside the discussions surrounding the future Formula 1 power unit philosophy.
Ferrari and Audi remain opposed
At the moment, Ferrari and Audi are understood to be the only manufacturers still resisting the introduction of the new 60/40 split as early as 2027. Both companies would reportedly prefer delaying the changes until at least 2028 in order to avoid major disruptions to their current projects.
Meanwhile, Red Bull Powertrains and Mercedes are believed to have pushed strongly for the regulation change from the very beginning. Both manufacturers see the revised balance between electric and combustion power as a more sustainable long-term direction for Formula 1, especially considering concerns over excessive energy management and battery limitations under the current rules.
The debate has become one of the hottest political topics inside Formula 1 because it directly affects not only performance, but also development costs, long-term planning and the competitive balance between manufacturers.
Max Verstappen’s pressure may have influenced the situation
The growing momentum behind the proposal also comes shortly after Max Verstappen publicly criticised the future engine direction during the Canadian Grand Prix weekend.
The Red Bull driver expressed serious concerns about Formula 1 becoming too dependent on electrical deployment and energy-saving strategies. Max Verstappen even suggested that he could consider stepping away from Formula 1 in the future if the sport continued moving too far away from traditional racing characteristics.
Those comments created enormous discussion throughout the paddock, particularly because Max Verstappen remains one of the most influential figures in modern Formula 1.
If the FIA officially confirms the new direction, the decision would represent a significant victory for Red Bull and Mercedes, while simultaneously handing Ferrari one of its most important political setbacks in recent years.
Ferrari now faces a difficult challenge
For Ferrari, the situation creates both technical and strategic uncertainty. The Maranello team had been counting on further improvements under the current framework, especially after recent signs of progress in closing the gap to its rivals.
Now, however, the Italian squad could be forced to rapidly rethink major elements of its long-term engine project while also adapting to a Formula 1 landscape increasingly shaped by political compromise and manufacturer alliances.
As Formula 1 continues preparing for the next generation of regulations, one thing is becoming increasingly clear: the battle between manufacturers is no longer happening only on track — it is now just as intense inside the meeting rooms where the future of the sport is being decided.
