Formula E watches F1's engine rule shift with quiet confidence, but borrows its glamour

F1's decision to revise its 2026 engine rules — dropping the 50/50 hybrid split for a more ICE-biased 60/40 mix — has been watched closely in the Formula E paddock. CEO Jeff Dodds publicly praised F1's flexibility: "I actually think fair play to them for being flexible." But behind the gracious words, there's quiet satisfaction that F1's "Frankenstein" approach (as Liberty Global's Mike Fries called it) is being walked back.

Why it matters:

This shift highlights the philosophical divide between sustainable racing visions and traditional performance. Formula E sees F1's retreat as validation of its all-electric path, even as the series struggles for commercial traction and media attention.

The details:

• F1 will move to a 60/40 ICE-to-electric power split in 2027, aiming for more natural flat-out racing and less artificial energy management.
• Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds: "They could have defended it. They didn't. Fair play." However, earlier Liberty Global CEO Mike Fries had openly mocked F1's hybrid as a "Frankenstein" and declared Formula E "going nowhere but up."
• Driver reactions: Ex-F1 racers currently in Formula E — Felipe Drugovich, Nyck de Vries, Sebastien Buemi — all support the re-balance. Drugovich: "F1 went too electric. Racing shouldn't be about efficiency." De Vries: "It looked artificial." Buemi: "It will be more natural."
• Promotion tactics: At Monaco, Formula E invited F1 stars like Norris, Hulkenberg, and Sainz for guest appearances, aiming to ride F1's glow. Critics note this overshadows its own deep talent pool — arguably as strong as F1's midfield.

What's next:

Formula E is betting big on Gen4 technology (torque vectoring, solid-state batteries) to outpace F1 in innovation. But if it wants to stand on its own, it must promote its stars — not borrow F1's. Dodds: "I don't think a combustion series and an electric series competing is a bad outcome."