Oscar Piastri gives 2027 engine changes verdict in ‘changing hardware’ warning

Oscar Piastri has endorsed the proposed 60:40 internal combustion/electric power unit split for 2027 as a "step in the right direction," but cautioned that fundamental driving issues will persist without hardware changes. The McLaren driver warned that adjusting the energy ratio alone cannot solve the delicate balancing act of battery management during qualifying laps.

Why it matters:

The power unit regulation changes are critical for the future competitiveness and driver experience in F1. Piastri's perspective, as a current top driver, highlights that without deeper engineering changes, the sport may still face compromises in performance. The push to revert closer to a combustion-dominant split aims to allow drivers to push flat out in qualifying, but Piastri's analysis suggests this may not be enough.

The details:

• The FIA announced an agreement in principle to shift the ICE/electrical ratio from 50:50 to 60:40 in favor of internal combustion, pending an official vote.
• Piastri: "It's a step in the right direction, but it's not the fix." He noted that even with the previous 80:20 or 85:15 splits, full deployment wasn't possible at every circuit.
• He emphasizes that the real solution is "changing hardware" – altering the physical components to allow full electrical power everywhere on track.
• Current issues: drivers face a difficult trade-off between starting a qualifying lap with a full battery or having no boost pressure from the turbo. "There's not really a solution to that, apart from changing hardware," Piastri said.
• On his own 14-race win drought (last victory at 2025 Dutch GP), Piastri said the fact McLaren is still at the front of the grid makes it easier to stay patient: "We know if we're perfect, we can still win."

What's next:

The proposed change still needs official ratification from the relevant governing bodies. If approved, it would apply from the 2027 season onward. Piastri's comments suggest that teams and the FIA may need to consider more radical hardware revisions to fully address the underlying issues, rather than relying solely on a numerical ratio change.