Urgent F1 Engine Regulation Changes for 2027 and Abandonment of 50/50 Power Split Concept

The Race reports an interesting insider update: preliminary discussions have begun in Formula 1 regarding significant changes to power unit regulations that could take effect as early as 2027. The main issue with current cars is their clear struggle with 'energy hunger.' Due to the 50/50 power split concept between the internal combustion engine (ICE) and the battery, drivers cannot fully attack even during qualifying. The updates approved for Miami will only solve about 20% of these problems.

To address this, a radical shift in the power balance is proposed. The idea is to significantly increase the output of the traditional ICE by allowing higher fuel flow while simultaneously reducing the battery's contribution. This aims to eliminate compromises in car setup and driving style.

The 2026 engines have already been designed according to existing parameters, so changes cannot be implemented that quickly. The target is 2027 or 2028. However, if teams want to introduce these changes in 2027, decisions must be made in the coming weeks to allow manufacturers enough time to develop the new units.

In numbers, the current plan is approximately a 50/50 split (ICE around 400 kW + battery 350 kW). The main proposal is to add +150 kW to the ICE and reduce the battery by –150 kW, resulting in about a 75/25 balance favoring the ICE. There is also an alternative for racing: increase ICE power but keep the battery at 350 kW specifically for overtaking (approximately a 65/35 balance).

Manufacturers themselves are confident that modern turbo V6 engines and batteries can deliver the required power, and the problem lies primarily in the artificial 50/50 balance.