The possible change in Formula 1 engines for 2027 received support from Oscar Piastri, but the McLaren driver believes that the measure alone will not be enough to solve the problems faced by the competitors. For the Australian, the change represents progress, although the definitive solution requires deeper changes in the technology used.
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It was announced by the FIA before the Miami GP that there was an initial agreement to modify the power split between the combustion engine and the electric part of the power units, already for next year. The proposal foresees a distribution of 60% for the combustion engine and 40% for the electric system, replacing the current balance of 50% for each component. However, the measure still needs to be formally approved.
Piastri evaluated the initiative positively but pointed out that it does not completely eliminate the current limitations. According to him, even in previous generations of engines, when the electric share was significantly smaller, there were still situations where the available energy could not be fully used throughout the entire lap.
“I think it’s a step in the right direction, but it’s not the solution. Even with the previous engines, which had an 80:20 or 85:15 split, on some circuits we didn’t have full use of the energy everywhere. We were very close to that, and on many tracks we managed it, but until there is a split that allows keeping all the electric power available at any point of the lap, it will continue to be something strange for us drivers on the straights,” he said.
The Australian also highlighted that the challenge is not only in the proportion between the propulsion systems. For him, battery and turbo management will continue to be a delicate factor regardless of the new power split: “No matter what the proportion is, these problems will continue to exist at the start of a qualifying lap, when you need to get the battery to the correct level. There is a very fine line between starting the lap without the full battery charge or starting without enough turbo pressure. There is no simple solution for this.”
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In Piastri’s view, only physical changes to the components could completely eliminate these difficulties: “There really is no solution for this other than changing the hardware. That would be the only complete fix, but I still consider this proposal a step in the right direction,” he added.
While following the discussions about future regulations, the McLaren driver remains focused on seeking his first win this year. Piastri has not won since the 2025 Dutch GP, a streak that already lasts fourteen races. Even so, he believes the team is close to returning to the top.
“It’s not so hard to be patient because we know we are close. In the last races, with different circumstances or decisions, we could have won two races as a team. We know we didn’t start the season in the best position, but we found our way quickly. If we are perfect, something we almost achieved recently, we know we can still win. That’s what we are chasing,” he concluded.
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