The FIA has announced an agreement to increase the power delivered by Formula 1’s combustion engines over the next two years.
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By 2028, F1 power units will source 60% of their usable energy from the internal combustion engine and 40% from their electrical systems, compared with the current 50-50 split.
To begin the transition, next year’s regulations will increase the maximum fuel flow rate by 5%. Teams will also be allowed a modest rise in MGU-K harvesting power, from 350kW to 375kW. The FIA estimates this will shift the power mix to roughly 58-42 in favour of the combustion engine for the 2027 season.
In 2028 the fuel flow rate will increase further — 13% higher than the current season — and maximum harvesting power will be raised again to 400kW. The FIA says those changes should achieve the target 60-40 split between combustion and electrical energy.
The proposal was agreed between the FIA, Formula One Management and the teams. It follows criticism of the new 2026 power units, which in some cases cannot sustain maximum output for an entire lap on several circuits, contributing to heavily managed qualifying laps and the widely discussed “super-clipping” phenomenon.
Drivers have also voiced strong opinions about on-track dynamics under the new power unit rules. Variations in power deployment and the introduction of the new Overtake Mode have produced frequent position changes, a development some drivers have criticised. The FIA stressed that the planned adjustments aim to address energy-management issues and qualifying performance without undermining the positive and exciting racing generated by the current regulations.
“The proposed changes are intended to address issues related to energy management and fuel energy flow characteristics and make qualifying more flat-out while not impacting the positive and exciting racing generated by the new regulations,” the FIA said in a statement.
The initial negative reaction to the 2026 regulations already prompted the FIA to implement several adjustments after the third round of the season. The original 50-50 power split was a headline feature of the new rules, prominently promoted before the new engines entered competition.
The proposed changes will be submitted to the FIA World Motor Sport Council for approval on June 23.
This article will be updated.
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