11/04/2025 16:28
The FIA says it remains committed to the all-new 2026 power unit
regulations after a crucial meeting with F1 and engine
manufacturers at the Bahrain Grand Prix, but that
"normally-aspirated" engines could return. There has been
speculation in recent weeks that the all-new power units set for
introduction in 2026 could be delayed or even scrapped altogether
in favour of a return to V10 engines, with sustainable fuels.
However, Audi, Honda and Mercedes all rejected the possibility with
the new units with increased electrical power and the removal of
the MGU-H now set for introduction from next season. The FIA
president Mohammed Ben Sulayem called the meeting, which all six
power unit manufacturers attended, with Red Bull Powertrains and
Ferrari joining, as did General Motors, which is entering F1 next
season with Cadillac and will produce an in-house unit for 2028. In
the "constructive" meeting also attended by senior figures such as
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, FIA technical chief Nikolas Tombazis,
Toto Wolff, Christian Horner and Fred Vasseur, the FIA confirmed
that the 2026 rules are to be introduced as intended. "The FIA
technical department, together with a number of stakeholders, has
invested a lot of time in the framing of the 2026 regulations on
hybrid Power Units with 100% sustainable fuel," read a statement.
"The 2026 regulations, governing Power Unit and chassis, have
attracted new Power Unit manufacturers to the sport – underlining
that for the 2026 cycle, the correct technical path has been
chosen." Article continues below. Crucial FIA meeting on engines
Despite the agreement, the parties, including Mercedes-Benz chief
Ola Kallenius, Honda Racing president Koji Watanabe, and Audi chief
Gernot Dollner, were open to the possibility of "normally
aspirated" engines returning to F1. The plans for the
reintroduction of V10 engines would come with sustainable fuels,
with the meeting discussing reducing the costs of developing F1
powertrains as hundreds of millions of dollars has been spent on
producing the 2026 units as well as the overall complexity of the
designs. The meeting concluded with all parties committing to
future discussions on the technical direction of F1, with
electrification set to "always" be part of future discussions.
Plans for adjustments to the power unit financial regulations were
given consideration as part of an overall cost reduction, with the
policing of those regulations set to be a "priority." The meeting
also discussed "building resilience" into the F1 ecosystem as it
navigates outside fluctuations of the global economy as markets and
trade are uncertain in the wake of US President Donald Trump
levying tariffs worldwide.
