FIA definitively tightens Formula 1 engine regulations after meeting

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 have 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.

The focus is not only on the current generation of power units, but also on future concepts. For instance, the sport is now openly discussing potential V8 engines running on sustainable fuels as part of a next technological step. The FIA considers the current step important. While teams prepare for the sweeping changes of 2026, work is already well underway behind the scenes on the direction the sport will take in the years that follow.

In addition to the short-term changes, the first version of the 2027 technical regulations was also approved. This document contains a large number of structural and technical clarifications aimed at improving the enforceability and consistency of the rules. It also incorporates lessons learned during the first season under the extensively overhauled 2026 regulations.

Furthermore, discussions were held on introducing a flexible approach to extreme weather conditions. From 2026, a so-called ‘Heat Hazard’ declaration can be issued separately for a Sprint race or a Grand Prix. Until now, such a measure applied to the entire race weekend. With this change, the FIA says it has more options to respond to changing weather conditions and better safeguard driver safety.

New adjustments have also been made for wet races. In situations where the track is wet, grip is limited and visibility is poor, boost mode will be allowed again. However, this function is solely intended to prevent power loss and not to provide extra performance. The usual overtaking function will remain disabled under such conditions. According to the FIA, these changes have been introduced exclusively for safety reasons.

More preparation time goes hand in hand with Formula 1’s increasingly complex rules, and the governing body acknowledges this. The WMSC has therefore decided to extend winter testing from 2027 onward from three to four days. The FIA recognizes that the current generation of Formula 1 cars is becoming ever more complex, requiring teams to have more time to test new systems and technologies before the season begins.