Even with the new Formula 1 regulations having come into force this year, the category is already discussing the future of power units. The FIA made it clear that the category cannot be held hostage by the decisions of manufacturers when defining its next regulations.
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The topic gained momentum, even with the new technical cycle still in its early stages. The concern is to avoid vulnerability if manufacturers decide to leave the category, directly impacting F1’s stability.
FIA’s single-seater technical director, Nikolas Tombazis, explained that the scenario has changed since the creation of the current rules: “The political landscape has changed. Manufacturers said they would no longer develop internal combustion engines and would fully migrate to electric, but that didn’t happen as predicted,” he stated. According to him, although electrification remains relevant, the pace of this transition is proving to be quite different from expected.
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Tombazis also highlighted that the use of sustainable fuels was an important advance within the current F1 regulations. Still, he reinforced that the category needs to protect itself from external fluctuations: “We cannot be held hostage by automotive companies deciding whether or not they want to be in Formula 1. We want them to participate, but we cannot remain vulnerable to these decisions,” he added.
Discussions for the next set of rules, planned for 2031, have already begun. The director emphasized that the development of a power unit requires a long-term approach, necessitating early decisions. Furthermore, he indicated that cost reduction will remain a priority, while the FIA seeks a balance between attractiveness for manufacturers and the structural independence of the category.
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