The first rounds of discussions have already begun to improve the current generation of power units, with a view to potential changes as early as next season.
Formula 1 has initiated early talks over a significant shift that could move away from the 50/50 balance between internal combustion engine power and battery deployment introduced by the 2026 regulations. The objective is clear: to definitively address the issues affecting the current cars, which are suffering from a chronic lack of usable energy.
Although a package of regulatory tweaks has already been approved for the Miami Grand Prix in an attempt to restore flat-out qualifying conditions, there is a growing recognition within the paddock that these latest adjustments will not fully resolve the existing limitations.
It is now widely accepted that no amount of fine-tuning within the constraints of the 50/50 split will completely bring qualifying back to a true maximum-attack scenario over a single flying lap. A high-level insider involved in the most recent discussions — as reported by The Race — suggested that the changes introduced for Miami have addressed only around 20% of what ultimately needs to be fixed.
Within this context, discussions have already started regarding the possibility of implementing broader changes to power unit hardware, affecting both the internal combustion engine and the battery systems, potentially as early as the 2027 season.
Power figures and proposed changes
According to The Race, Formula 1 leadership and manufacturers are convinced that the current 1.6-litre turbo V6 engines, combined with 4 MJ batteries, are theoretically capable of delivering the power and energy required for drivers to push flat-out on every lap. However, the current situation is excessively compromised by the strict 50/50 split between thermal and electrical power — a concept that was originally considered essential to attract new manufacturers into the sport.
There is a growing belief that increasing the output of the internal combustion engine through higher fuel flow, while simultaneously reducing battery power to lower overall energy demand, would place the cars in a much more favorable operating window, allowing them to consistently express their full performance potential.
Ongoing analysis is now focused on determining the optimal balance between the two power sources. One of the most concrete proposals involves increasing ICE output by 150 kW while reducing battery power by the same amount. This would shift the current distribution — approximately 400 kW from the combustion engine and 350 kW from the electrical system, close to a 50/50 balance — toward a configuration of 650 kW thermal and 200 kW electric power, effectively moving to a 75/25 split.
Alternatively, a system could be retained that allows up to 350 kW of battery deployment during races, particularly for overtaking situations, resulting in an overall balance closer to 65/35.
An increase in internal combustion engine power during the 2026 season is not considered feasible. The current power units were designed around existing performance levels, and increasing fuel flow and output would introduce significant reliability concerns, potentially affecting component lifespan. For this reason, such changes were not included in the Miami discussions. Instead, the focus has shifted toward medium- to long-term solutions, targeting the 2027 and possibly 2028 seasons.
Growing support among teams and manufacturers
A change of this magnitude would require a supermajority among power unit manufacturers: four out of the five suppliers, along with approval from both the FIA and Formula One Management. Even if Mercedes — which currently enjoys a competitive advantage — were not in favor, it would not be able to block the revision on its own.
There appears to be increasing support for the idea, as discussions continue over whether to introduce the changes as early as 2027 or delay implementation by an additional year. The momentum within the paddock suggests that the status quo is unlikely to remain unchanged for long.
Sources within the sport have indicated that, if the plan to move away from the 50/50 split is to be implemented for 2027, a decision will need to be made within the coming weeks. This would allow manufacturers sufficient time to begin development work on revised power unit concepts and prepare for what could become another significant shift in Formula 1’s technical direction.
The urgent discussions regarding the 2027 Power Unit regulations highlight a clear realization within Formula 1: the current balance between electrical and thermal power is hindering the “flat-out” racing spectacle fans demand. By potentially shifting back toward a more ICE-dominant 75/25 ratio, the sport aims to eliminate energy derating and restore the raw performance of qualifying laps. As manufacturers weigh the costs of these hardware changes against the benefits of a better on-track product, the next few weeks will be critical in deciding whether the future of F1 power remains a compromise or returns to an era of uninhibited speed.
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