Formula 1 stakeholders have reached an agreement in principle to modify the sport's engine regulations for the 2027 season. The decision, made during an online meeting on Friday, will alter the current near-equal power distribution between the internal combustion engine (ICE) and the electrical Energy Recovery System (ERS).
Under the new plan, the power split will shift to approximately 60-40. This change involves a nominal increase of about 50 kilowatts in the power output from the internal combustion engine, accompanied by a corresponding fuel-flow increase. Simultaneously, the deployment power from the electrical ERS will be reduced by a similar amount of around 50 kilowatts.
The FIA stated that these evolutionary changes to the hardware components are intended to make the competition "safer, fairer and more intuitive" for both drivers and teams. The adjustments aim to refine the driving experience, potentially reducing the need for complex energy management strategies during races.
This decision follows discussions about the impact of recent rule tweaks introduced at the Miami Grand Prix. Those changes, designed to improve safety and reduce excessive energy harvesting, were deemed successful and are seen as a positive step in refining the 2026 regulatory framework. The FIA confirmed no material issues or safety concerns arose from the Miami implementation.
While the 2027 hardware changes have been agreed upon in principle, further detailed technical discussions are required. Power unit manufacturers and teams will work in technical groups to finalize the complete package before it is presented to the World Motor Sport Council for formal approval. The longer lead time for power unit design necessitates this thorough evaluation process.
Looking ahead to the remainder of the current season, stakeholders also agreed to introduce further adjustments. These include improved start-safety revisions, following a system trialled in Miami to assist cars struggling to get away from the grid, as well as measures to enhance safety during wet-weather conditions. These updates will be communicated to teams once they are fully defined.
Based on reporting from SkySports | News.
