Formula 1’s upcoming power unit revolution has barely begun, yet the FIA is already preparing its first significant adjustment. Amid ongoing debate over the controversial 2026 regulations, the governing body has confirmed a technical tweak for 2027 that will reduce the electrical contribution of the hybrid power unit in favour of greater internal combustion engine output.
The move effectively shifts Formula 1 away from the originally planned 50/50 power split between combustion and electric energy, replacing it with a 60/40 balance that FIA officials believe will create a more competitive and sustainable racing product.
Formula 1’s 2027 engine rule adjustment explained
Nikolas Tombazis, the FIA’s head of single-seater matters, has become one of the most visible defenders of the much-debated Formula 1 technical overhaul. The former Ferrari technical director had previously acknowledged concerns surrounding the original equal power split between thermal and electric propulsion, while also making clear that the FIA did not want to become overly constrained by manufacturer interests when future technical decisions needed to be made.
That thinking has now translated into action. In a somewhat unexpected announcement made away from a Grand Prix weekend, the FIA confirmed that from 2027 the internal combustion engine will gain an additional 50 kW thanks to increased fuel flow, while battery power contribution will be reduced by 50 kW.
Nikolas Tombazis explains the reasoning
Defending the decision in an interview with German publication Auto Motor und Sport, Nikolas Tombazis explained: “We recognised that the original allocation” — referring to the planned 50/50 split — “could have led to premature battery depletion under certain conditions. By giving the internal combustion engine slightly more margin from 2027 onward, we are creating a more stable platform for energy management.”
The adjustment does not completely alter the philosophy of the hybrid era, but it does represent a meaningful shift in how Formula 1 sees the balance between performance and energy recovery.
“Our objective is not to weaken the hybrid concept,” added the former Ferrari technical director, “but we must ensure that drivers can continue attacking on the straights without the system operating purely in a defensive way.
“We want to avoid a situation where drivers have to lift off halfway down a straight simply to save energy for the next lap.”
That scenario has already offered a glimpse of the potential problem. During the Miami Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc appeared to face exactly that kind of energy management limitation while attempting to defend against Oscar Piastri in the closing stages of the race.
Why the FIA believes this is not a major Formula 1 U-turn
According to Tombazis, the change should not be viewed as a dramatic retreat from the 2026 vision, but rather as a practical refinement based on real-world simulation and engineering analysis.
“The 2026 projects are largely frozen at this stage, but the 2027 modifications give manufacturers enough time to optimise their designs without unnecessary pressure,” he explained.
“This is an evolutionary refinement, not a radical overhaul.”
For Formula 1 fans sceptical of the next hybrid era, the FIA’s early intervention may be seen as an admission that concerns over battery deployment and racing spectacle were valid. For the governing body, however, the message is clear: this is not a reversal, but a preventative correction designed to ensure the new regulations deliver better racing.
This strategic adjustment therefore highlights the FIA’s efforts to balance cutting-edge hybrid technology with the high-speed spectacle fans expect. By refining the power delivery for 2027, the sport aims to provide a more consistent performance profile that allows for aggressive wheel-to-wheel racing without the limitations of early energy depletion.
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