F1 | FIA ready to change the Power Unit regulations
The FIA remains ready to introduce potential changes to the Formula 1 technical regulations, with the 2026 Power Units still under careful observation. During the recent winter testing sessions held in Barcelona and Bahrain, both the teams and the governing body gathered their first meaningful data from the new-generation single-seaters. Despite the significant progress already achieved, the FIA has confirmed that it is open to making regulatory adjustments after listening closely to feedback from F1 teams regarding the performance and characteristics of the new Power Units.
Much of the foundational work has already been completed, but certain fine details still need to be addressed. “We have worked very hard and I think we are 90% of the way towards reaching a reasonable position,” Nicholas Tombazis told the Spanish publication AS. His comments suggest that while the framework of the 2026 regulations is largely defined, there are still areas that may require refinement before the championship fully unfolds.
The FIA’s Single-Seater Director explained that the main focus at this stage is clearly energy consumption management. In recent days, discussions have emerged about the possibility of limiting the electrical component’s power output in order to ensure proper balance between the internal combustion engine and the hybrid system. However, any regulatory modifications are not expected to take place before the Australian Grand Prix, as the governing body intends to evaluate real-world data from the opening rounds before taking action.
The FIA listens to teams over potential 2026 regulation changes
Nicholas Tombazis described the current situation surrounding energy deployment and usage under the new 2026 Power Unit regulations. Teams will continue working closely with the FIA to suggest possible adjustments if necessary. Observing how the cars behave during the first Grands Prix will be essential, which is why any regulatory change is unlikely to be introduced before the Chinese Grand Prix.
“There are several ways in which we can intervene in the sport to adapt the regulations. We may have to make changes. What kind? Changes to energy consumption,” he added. “It is unlikely that anything will be done between Australia and China, but we are not talking about months. We will see where we stand, we will calibrate our systems and, if necessary, we will make a proposal to the teams and the engine manufacturers and take a decision.”
These remarks underline that the FIA is taking a cautious and data-driven approach, prioritising collaboration with teams and Power Unit manufacturers before implementing any formal amendments to the 2026 Formula 1 regulations.
Driver feedback from Bahrain testing
After completing their first significant mileage on track, the drivers have shared their impressions of the new 2026 Power Units. All feedback collected from Barcelona and Bahrain will be crucial for the Federation should any regulatory adjustments be considered in the future, particularly regarding energy management and drivability.
“The feedback from Barcelona and Bahrain is much better than it was a few months ago on the simulator, but there are other opinions as well, like Max Verstappen’s. I think for now they are adapting to the new cars, but we are aware that we may have to make changes. This has been the subject of an open discussion with the teams and the engine manufacturers for a long time, and also with the drivers.”
While the initial on-track response appears more encouraging compared to earlier simulator simulations, the FIA acknowledges that adaptation is still ongoing. As drivers continue to familiarise themselves with the characteristics of the 2026 Formula 1 cars and the revised hybrid systems, the governing body remains prepared to intervene if adjustments to the Power Unit regulations prove necessary to safeguard competitive balance, sustainability and the long-term objectives of the new technical era.
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