F1 Today: FIA ratifies engine changes, Marko names favourite for Austrian Grand Prix

The FIA’s World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) earlier approved a series of significant changes to the Formula 1 regulations for 2026 and subsequent years during its meeting in Macau. At the meeting, a vote was held to finalise the proposed changes to the power unit regulations from 2027 onwards, redistributing electrical and combustion power.

The manufacturers, FOM, and the FIA had already reached an agreement on June 10, but it still needed to be formally adopted by the WMSC. A vote was held on June 23, after which the governing body announced that the additional measures had been approved. An important part of the new regulations concerns the balance between the internal combustion engine and the Energy Recovery System (ERS). The FIA has confirmed that this ratio will be re-evaluated and adjusted again in 2027 and 2028.

The changes include, among other things, an adjusted power distribution for the internal combustion engine, modifications to the energy flow from the fuel, and a revised deployment of the ERS. In addition, teams will have more flexibility in managing their energy over a race weekend. According to FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, these adjustments demonstrate that Formula 1 continues to evolve in close collaboration with all stakeholders.

While the FIA ratified the pre-agreed changes to the current regulations, former Red Bull advisor Marko offered his prediction on who he believes will be the favourites to win this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix.

The 83-year-old, who called time on his illustrious career in Formula 1 following the conclusion of the 2025 campaign, outlined a number of scenarios for how things could play out when the cars take to the track at the Red Bull Ring.

Marko, speaking in an interview with Austrian outlet Kleine Zeitung, noted how Mercedes could be largely touted as favourites, albeit pointing out that the power unit issues the Brackley-based outfit have recently faced could again come to the fore. The Graz native further detailed how the weekend in Austria often proves to be an ideal venue for the introduction of upgrades, which could present Red Bull and Max Verstappen with a chance of challenging for victory if their updates this weekend deliver the desired results.