The Formula 1 teams, F1 management and the world automobile association FIA have agreed on a gradual increase in the performance of the combustion engine.
The combustion engine-electric split will be adjusted to a ratio of 60:40 in two stages by 2028, as the FIA announced on Wednesday evening.
“The FIA has a responsibility to secure the future of the championship and these adjustments are part of that commitment,” said FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem: “By working together, we will shape the future of our sport and delight fans worldwide.”
The association said the changes “are intended to address issues related to energy management and fuel flow characteristics and make qualifying more dynamic without affecting the exciting racing promoted by the new regulations.”
Some manufacturers, including Mercedes and Red Bull Powertrains, had already called for major changes for 2027, but ultimately a compromise was apparently reached in order to accommodate the opposing parties – including the German newcomer Audi.
Rule revolution in Formula 1
For the 2026 season, Formula 1 revolutionized its hybrid drives and increased the electric share of power to almost 50 percent. In practice, however, this led to problems; due to the high power requirement, drivers sometimes had to forego full throttle during a lap in order to charge the battery while driving. This in turn caused loud criticism from prominent drivers such as four-time world champion Max Verstappen.
The greater emphasis on the combustion engine should now lead to a more “natural” driving style. Compared to the hybrid engines of the past generation (2014 to 2025), a distribution of around 60 to 40 percent still means a strengthening of the electric drive: At that time, the combustion engine still provided around 80 percent of the power.