FIA President Proposes Refuelling Return and Independent Engine Supply

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has proposed reintroducing refuelling and establishing an independent engine supplier for customer teams. Speaking at the British Grand Prix, the 64-year-old outlined plans aimed at cutting costs, reducing complexity, and weakening manufacturer leverage over the grid.

Why it matters:

The proposals target two sensitive areas in modern F1: power unit complexity and the A-team, B-team dynamics that critics say distort competition. An FIA-supplied engine would theoretically free customer outfits from manufacturer influence, while refuelling's return could reshape race strategies and support efforts to build smaller, lighter cars.

The details:

• Refuelling: The FIA is studying a revival of the practice banned since 2010, using sustainable fuels with electrification potentially exceeding the current 10% threshold.
• Independent supplier: An "FIA-selected engine" would be offered to customer teams currently dependent on Mercedes, Ferrari, or Red Bull Ford, eliminating supply-based leverage over competitive and governance decisions.
• Future regulations: Ben Sulayem linked the ideas to his broader push for 2030/2031 rules featuring V8 engines and a target weight near 630 kg, though Renault's CEO has already dismissed Alpine building its own unit.

What's next:

These concepts remain under study and would face stiff resistance from existing manufacturers protecting their investments. Still, Ben Sulayem's comments signal an FIA determined to steer F1 toward simpler, cheaper machinery, ensuring a heated debate as the next regulatory cycle approaches.