Discussions about Formula 1 regulations remain stalled behind the scenes, and Carlos Sainz believes that political interests are preventing faster progress. The Williams driver stated that engine manufacturers are directly influencing the debate on future technical changes.
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The category discussed adjustments to engine rules during the April break, following concerns involving the so-called “superclipping.” For the Miami GP, some changes were approved, including increasing superclipping to 350kw and reducing total energy from 8 MJ to 7 MJ.
Even so, bigger changes for 2027 still face resistance. Andrea Stella, McLaren’s chief, even defended a broader postponement of the new rules until 2028. To approve significant changes, a supermajority is required in the Power Unit Advisory Committee, involving the FIA, Formula 1, and the category’s five engine manufacturers.
Sainz, who also serves as GPDA director, stated that individual interests are blocking consensus. “What is holding everything back is getting all the teams politically aligned,” said the Spaniard. “There are clearly many political interests. Some people have done a better job than others in certain areas and don’t want to lose performance advantage because of rule changes.”
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The driver also suggested that manufacturers are working hard behind the scenes to protect their technical gains. “Especially the power unit manufacturers will fight with everything for their own interests,” he said. “If the FIA simply said: ‘this is what’s going to happen,’ I’m sure most teams could deal with it. But there are interests involved, and they are pulling strings everywhere.” ([racingnews365.com][1])
[1]: https://racingnews365.com/carlos-sainz-explains-pulling-strings-reason-behind-crucial-f1-rules-delay?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Carlos Sainz explains ‘pulling strings’ reason behind crucial F1 rules delay | RacingNews365”
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