Tombazis says F1 'cannot be hostage' to manufacturers over power unit future

F1's move to a 50/50 power split between electricity and the internal combustion engine (ICE) was agreed upon with electrification in the car industry on the rise. New team Audi were understood to be lured into the sport thanks to the new changes, and Honda's U-turn following an initially planned departure, to then join Aston Martin, was also influenced.

So far in 2026, opinions on the new regulations have been mixed to say the least, with Max Verstappen leading the criticism against what has been called 'Mario Kart' racing with such a heavy focus on the electrical component.

Speaking to media on Monday, Tombazis explained that the momentum behind electrification has perhaps stalled slightly since the 2026 rules were drawn up. The FIA chief also highlighted F1's move to introduce fully sustainable fuels in 2026, one that could theoretically see a way back for the V8 engine one day.

Tombazis said: “Well first of all, it is true, the political landscape has changed.

It was here where Tombazis' attention then turned to manufacturers' influence in F1, stressing the need to protect the sport from any impacts of whether a manufacturer enters or exits in the future.

Tombazis also highlighted the importance of discussing any future rule changes "very soon" for the next regulation cycle, owing to the complications surrounding the modern power units.