Uncertainty grips F1 grid as Honda delays verdict on FIA engine plan

After the Miami Grand Prix, the FIA announced that, ‘in principle,’ an agreement had been reached with the engine manufacturers to change the power balance in the engines from 50/50 to 60/40. By slightly reducing the share of the battery, drivers should no longer have to back off during a lap to recharge the electric component.

It has since become clear that teams and manufacturers agree that this adjustment should be implemented, but there is division over the timing of when it should happen. Only Mercedes and Red Bull seem to want to introduce the change as early as next year. In Formula 1, support from four of the six manufacturers — including future manufacturer Cadillac — is required to get the green light, and that number is currently unlikely to be reached.

The other manufacturers reportedly do not support the change, mainly due to two key objections. First, budget constraints play a major role. Audi finds it difficult to justify investing millions once again in a new power unit, having only just done so for its entry into Formula 1. It is also suggested that modifying the engines would cost around ten million dollars.

In addition, the Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) programme is a stumbling block for some manufacturers. This system allows those that are significantly behind to introduce upgrades to their engines during the season. However, if a higher fuel flow is also permitted in 2027, ADUO would have to be scrapped. Manufacturers fear that rivals able to use ADUO would gain a significant advantage in developing the new engines. Ferrari, in particular, sees this as a reason not to agree to the adjustment now and would prefer to wait a year.

Honda is also said to be in favour of postponement until 2028, but Shintaro Orihara, the Trackside General Manager, refuses to confirm this. When asked point-blank about Honda’s position, the Japanese executive dodged the question. “We are listening to the FIA decision, so we are waiting for their decision,” he said initially. After Orihara was reminded that this is a vote in which Honda participates, the engineer added, “A major overhaul. It's difficult to say.”

A great deal hinges on whether the initially agreed decision goes through for drivers, including Verstappen. Verstappen may quit if the 60/40 ratio is not implemented. “For me, F1 just needs to be more pure, and I really hope that what they try to do next year will go through, because I think that is necessary — the minimum necessary — to make it a bit more natural and a bit more back to normal, or at least a bit more pure racing,” he said in Montreal to, among others, GPblog.

Andrea Stella has an ally in Verstappen. Like the Dutchman, the McLaren team principal believes a swift change is necessary, warning that “the value of Formula 1, everyone will have a loss.” The Italian said in Canada: “This is a general interest that should prevail over particular interests.”