FIA Revises 2027 Engine Rules to Boost Combustion Power

The FIA has announced plans to revise Formula 1’s engine regulations for 2027, moving away from the near-equal split between combustion and electric power introduced under the current 2026 rules. The proposed changes aim to increase internal combustion engine output by approximately 50kW through a fuel-flow increase while reducing energy recovery system deployment power by roughly the same amount.

Why it matters:

The shift addresses mounting criticism from drivers and teams over the 2026 cars’ heavy reliance on energy harvesting and management. Driving styles that conserve electrical energy by lifting early or limiting corner commitment raised safety concerns — notably after Oliver Bearman’s crash at Suzuka while approaching a slower car. The FIA’s move signals a commitment to preserving F1’s DNA of raw combustion power while still integrating hybrid technology.

The details:

• Short-term fixes were introduced before Miami: increased “super clipping” from 250kW to 350kW for greater energy recovery at full throttle, and a reduction in harvesting allowance during qualifying from 8MJ to 7MJ.
• The FIA says Miami’s changes improved competition and no safety issues were identified.
• For 2027, the near-50:50 power split will be altered: ~50kW more from the ICE, ~50kW less from the ERS.
• Because the fuel-flow increase may require hardware modifications, the changes are targeted for 2027 rather than this season.
• Meetings involved teams, manufacturers, and F1 stakeholders during the extended break after cancelled Bahrain and Saudi races.

What's next:

• Further detailed discussions in technical groups comprising teams and power unit manufacturers are required before finalizing the package.
• The refined changes will be presented for a World Motor Sport Council e-vote, with power unit manufacturers voting on the package.
• Additional short-term adjustments for start safety, wet conditions, and visual signaling are being evaluated for upcoming races like Canada.