Ex-car designer critical of 2027 engine adjustments: 'Same mistake twice'

On Friday, the FIA announced further changes to the power unit regulations for the upcoming season. "Turning to the longer-term measures, there was unanimous commitment to introduce changes which further enhanced fair and safe competition, that were intuitive for drivers and teams and were in the best interests of the sport. The measures agreed in principle today for 2027 would see a nominal increase in Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) power by ~50kW with a fuel-flow increase and a nominal reduction of the Energy Recovery System (ERS) deployment power by ~50kW," it was shared.

Anderson created a generic circuit to use as an example when discussing the issues with having a roughly 50/50 split between the internal combustion engine and the MGU-K, which highlights its flaws. On that track, drivers would like to push for 60% of the lap and brake hard for 15%. That "leaves 25% in no man’s land," the Northern Irishman explained in his column for The Race.

According to the calculations the former car designer presents, the maximum of the battery should be theoretically decreased to 70 kW. Therefore, Anderson concluded: "I have made many mistakes in my life but the one thing I tried not to do was make the same mistake twice. What I am seeing from the statement is that the powers to be don’t seem to have taken in account how dramatic the problem they have got themselves into really is."