1 week Ago
In the lead-up to last Thursday's meeting, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff sharply criticised the inclusion of engine regulation discussions on the agenda, calling it a "joke." Concerns have been raised, particularly by Red Bull and Ferrari , about the 50-50 split between internal combustion and electrical power in the 2026 engines, with some citing potential impacts on the racing spectacle or even safety issues. Dutch commentator Olav Mol highlighted the challenges ahead of the meeting, telling Ziggo Sport, "Even Mercedes now admit that at Monza, with half the power based on electricity, they will run out of that power halfway down the straight.
The engine would then be even less powerful than in Formula 2." Mol revealed that a proposal to reduce the electrical component of the 2026 engines from 50 percent to 36 percent during races was under consideration at the F1 Commission. Following the meeting, the FIA issued a statement confirming that the 2026 regulations remain unchanged but noted that the topic will be "discussed in more detail" within sub-committees.
Germany's Auto Motor und Sport elaborated, stating, "With this decision, Formula 1 is taking precautions." The publication highlighted that the most likely adjustment under consideration is a potential relaxation of the strict homologation rules, which could be enacted swiftly if a manufacturer, such as Mercedes, gains a significant performance edge. "Should there be significant performance differences on the racetrack next year, there would be opportunities to make adjustments in the interests of the sport," Auto Motor und Sport added.
However, the proposal to reduce the electrical power component was rejected during the vote, confirming that the core framework of the 2026 engine rules will proceed as planned..
