FIA Confirms Gradual Power Unit Shift Back Toward Combustion for 2027-28

The World Motor Sport Council has ratified a significant revision to Formula 1's power unit regulations that gradually shifts the energy balance back toward the internal combustion engine. Starting in 2027, the current 50/50 split between ICE and battery power will move to 58/42, before reaching 60/40 in 2028. The decision follows sustained driver criticism of the 2026 formula and lengthy negotiations among manufacturers.

Why it matters:

• Drivers argued the 50/50 mandate introduced this season overly restricted the internal combustion engine, muting the sound and raw character that define F1's on-track spectacle.
• The reversal gives power unit suppliers a stable, multi-year development target after the disruptive 2026 reset, which many feared had become an expensive exercise in short-term electrification.
• It also marks a notable pivot by the rule-makers, effectively acknowledging that the initial electrification targets needed recalibration to keep racing quality at the forefront.

The details:

• The 2026 regulations currently enforce an even split between ICE and electric output—a balance several drivers warned felt artificially constrained and overly dependent on energy recovery management.
• Under the new framework, the ICE share rises to 58% in 2027 and 60% by 2028, walking back the 50/50 formula that debuted with this season's rules reset.
• Industry consensus: All manufacturers signed off on the revised roadmap, preventing the political gridlock that has historically stalled technical compromises in the paddock.
• FIA stance: President Mohammed Ben Sulayem praised the agreement as proof that stakeholders are "shaping the next chapter of the sport," though the change arrives just months after the same 50/50 split was heralded as the future standard.

What's next:

Engineers must now retool 2027 power units to deliver stronger ICE performance without sacrificing the reliability lessons learned under the current spec. The phased timeline offers teams a buffer, but resource allocation will be critical as they balance optimizing the 2026 package while preparing for the rebalanced future. Beyond 2028, the sport will likely face fresh debates over how far F1 should follow the auto industry's broader electrification roadmap without diluting the visceral identity that sets the championship apart.