Carlos Sainz Urges F1 and FIA to Stay Tough on 2027 Power Unit Changes

Carlos Sainz, Williams driver and GPDA president, is urging F1's management and the FIA to remain "tough" in pushing through planned power unit regulation changes for 2027. The proposed tweaks aim to adjust the 2026 hybrid rules to a roughly 60-40 split between combustion and electric power, addressing driver concerns about current dependency on electrical energy.

Why it matters:

The sport's stakeholders are debating the finer details of these changes, with potential chassis redesigns and cost cap allowances at stake. Sainz believes the proposal aligns with where F1 should go, but warns that politics among manufacturers could derail progress. A strong stance from the governing bodies is critical to ensure the sport's direction prioritizes racing spectacle over individual agendas.

The details:

• The FIA announced an "agreement in principle" on the broad strokes of the 2027 hardware changes, but team negotiations continue on specifics like fuel tank and battery sizes.
• Sainz noted that what was seen in Miami was a small step forward, not enough for true flat-out racing.
• He and teammate Alex Albon acknowledge the 2027 changes are a stop-gap until the next regulations cycle, expected to return to V8 hybrids with smaller electrical components around 2030.
• Albon said the proposed tweaks will be "not enough" but a reasonable interim measure.
• Sainz emphasized that drivers prefer electrical energy as an "add-on" rather than a dependency, recalling earlier KERS and previous PU regulations.

What's next:

The key question is whether all teams and engine suppliers can agree. Sainz hopes FOM and the FIA stand firm. If approved, the 2027 changes could improve racing, but drivers already look ahead to a more pure formula in 2030.