F1 Commission Fails to Reach Consensus on 2027 Engine Split

This week’s Formula 1 Commission meeting failed to achieve consensus on the proposed 60/40 power split for the 2027 engine regulations, which would give the internal combustion engine a slightly larger role compared to the current 2026 rules. While the FIA announced an “agreement in principle” ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix, the political reality in Montreal proved far more complex.

Why it matters:

The engine split is a critical lever for shaping F1’s future. A higher combustion share could alter performance parity, affect chassis design, and influence manufacturer investment. Without a supermajority among the six power unit manufacturers – four must vote in favor – the plan remains stalled, potentially delaying cost and development certainty for teams.

The details:

• Chassis side: Most teams support minor adjustments like shortening some races by a few laps and limiting reconnaissance laps to one per driver. These measures avoid larger fuel tanks that would require chassis redesign, easing the transition for teams carrying over their 2026 chassis.
• Power unit side: The situation is far more complex. Changes to fuel flow raise multiple technical pathways, and could require hardware modifications. Honda flagged reliability concerns, while Ferrari remains focused on its ADUO project. Audi and Honda are worried about additional investment costs.
• Voting dynamics: Any change needs four of the six PU manufacturers in favor. General Motors, holding voting rights, is expected to align with its engine partner Ferrari, but that still leaves a delicate balance.

What's next:

Several parties demanded clarity as soon as possible – a sentiment publicly backed by Max Verstappen. But no breakthrough emerged ahead of Monaco, underlining the political difficulty. The commission did approve smaller changes: an extra day of winter testing (three to four) for 2025, likely in Bahrain, and tighter restrictions on Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) to prevent teams from using them for future knowledge gathering at tracks soon hosting GPs.