F1 set for crunch 2027 talks - as proposed changes in doubt

Formula 1 is set for crunch rules talks in Canada this weekend, The Race has learned, with hardware changes tabled for 2027 not having the support that will be needed to go through.

With the fate of the heralded 60/40 power split move hanging in the balance, discussions are planned to see if common ground can be found among manufacturers.

Following a meeting between F1, the FIA, plus teams and manufacturers after the Miami Grand Prix, it was agreed in principle for there to be a move away next year from the 50/50 electrical and internal combustion power split that is a central pillar of the current regulations.

The idea being talked about was for the power of the internal combustion engine to be raised by 50kW, and the battery output lowered by a similar amount, to shift the ratio to roughly 60/40.

It was suggested that this alteration would be enough to remove the dramatic end of straight speed drops off and excessive energy management, as well as make the cars more intuitive to drive.

While there was support that such a change to the rules would be beneficial, what was not so universally agreed upon was the timing of this.

With manufacturers needing to lend their support to when changes should be introduced, where the majority views align on this will decide when things are altered.

Multiple sources have suggested to The Race that there is a clear split among manufacturers right now about when the changes should be targeted for – with some happy for this to come in 2027, while others want to hold back until 2028.

Under F1’s governance structure, for significant changes to be made to the engine regulations, it requires backing from four of the six carmakers involved – a tally that is not in play right now.

It is understood that it is only Mercedes and Red Bull currently in favour of an immediate switch. Despite both having shown strong performance from their power units under the new regulations, they are open to tweaks that would be beneficial to helping the show.

But the other manufacturers are understood to not be supportive of the change, with their concerns being based on two core elements.

One is budgetary, with Audi in particular feeling that, as a manufacturer that has already invested heavily in the current rules set and is still learning about the challenges of F1, it is hard to justify investment in a multi-million-pound extra development project already when there is a budget cap in play.

Sources suggest that the spending required to revamp engines for next year could be in excess of $10million.

This does not mean that Audi is against any change for next year though, and sources suggest it could accept minor alterations to improve things. However, it does not think it is realistic to go all out to achieve the 60/40 target so soon.

The other element that has triggered resistance among some manufacturers, and is believed to be something that Ferrari is especially mindful of, is what happens to F1’s catch-up mechanism, known as the Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO).

If power unit rules are opened up for next year to allow an increase of fuel flow then it is argued that the current plans under ADUO to allow some manufacturers extra spending and upgrades will have to be scrapped – otherwise they will have a big advantage when it comes to getting on top of the new designs.

With Ferrari in particular adamant that ADUO is a means by which it can catch up with Mercedes, losing that opportunity to close down on its rival could have big competitive implications.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc said in Montreal on Thursday that, while improving F1 was important, everyone had to be “careful” of the competitive consequences, which is why he said finding agreement may be harder than originally anticipated

“To find something that makes sense for everybody and that is fair for everybody is a lot more complex than what we initially thought,” he said.

“So that's why I think it's going to be tricky to find something that is good for everybody. But I know everybody is working towards that.”

While the planned 60/40 move has widespread support among drivers, even they are well aware of the risks of the plan falling apart because of politics.

Max Verstappen, who says the rule change idea would be enough to make him happy to stay in F1 said: “That's why we have to wait and see until it's fully confirmed. But that definitely needs to happen.”

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and senior FIA figures are set to meet with manufacturers over the Montreal weekend to try to move things forward – even though the situation looks difficult.

Carlos Sainz, who has been outspoken in his belief that F1 cannot wait until 2028 to make big changes to the power units, urged the series' bosses to be firm against any political pushback.

“Unfortunately, like always in this sport there will be politics involved and different interests involved across the main manufacturers that will push back and push forward depending on what they're looking for,” he said.

“That's why if anything, from here, I can just ask the FIA and FOM to be tough with what they believe is the right thing for the sport.”