Formula 1 News: Tweaking Engines Could Be Key to Faster Cars in 2026, Says FIA
As the FIA concedes that its draft 2026 technical rules require refinement to make cars faster, a potential solution has emerged: modifying the engines. One way to increase power and reduce reliance on battery energy is to revisit fuel flow limitations, which were introduced as part of the push for a 50-50 split of power input from the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) and electrical energy.
FIA’s single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis suggested that manufacturers could be open to modifications, stating, “If there are some tweaks needed, I’m quite confident the PU manufacturers would help and be collaborative.” However, any changes would require unanimous support from manufacturers committed to entering, as per the 2026 power unit regulations.
Despite this, some car makers have expressed that it’s too late to make significant changes, given the advanced stage of development for the 2026 engines. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff emphasized, “On the power unit side, the ship has sailed. There are teams that feel they are on the back foot, and there are other teams that will feel, and OEMs, that they have done a good job. That’s the normal kind of wrestling on regulations.”
Alpine team principal Bruno Famin echoed this sentiment, highlighting the challenge of making changes now, with manufacturers having invested two years of work into the new power units. “We need to be careful because on the chassis side, almost nothing is done – because there is no regulation,” he said. “But on the PU, we have two years of work.”
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, whose squad will be powered by its own engine from 2026, remains optimistic about the potential for meaningful changes, although he acknowledged Mercedes’ resistance. “There is always one that doesn’t want to change,” he said. “But that is down to the FIA. As I say, it is never too late. They have all the knowledge and simulations. You have got to look at what is best for F1 at the end of the day and what will produce the best racing.”
The FIA’s pursuit of faster cars in 2026 relies heavily on finding a balance between engine power and electrical energy. With the 2026 Formula 1 regulations still in development, the FIA must navigate the complex landscape of manufacturer interests and technical considerations to deliver a thrilling racing experience for fans.
🔗 Source