LONDON : Formula One plans to increase combustion-engine power and reduce the electric component of its hybrid engines from 2027 after recent rule tweaks introduced at the Miami Grand Prix were considered successful.
Team principals, power unit manufacturers and Formula One management attended a virtual meeting on Friday convened by the FIA.
“It was agreed in principle to introduce evolutionary changes to the rules regarding hardware components, making competition safer, fairer and more intuitive for drivers and teams,” the FIA said in a statement.
The proposed measures would increase Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) output by around 50kW through a higher fuel-flow allowance while reducing the contribution from the Energy Recovery System (ERS).
Current hybrid engines are split roughly 50-50 between combustion and electric power, but the planned adjustments would shift the balance closer to 60-40, reducing the need for energy management and allowing drivers to race flat-out more frequently.
Technical working groups will continue discussions before the final package is voted on by manufacturers and the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council.
The move follows concerns raised after the opening races of the season, where some drivers criticised the amount of “lift and coast” driving required to recharge batteries and warned of dangerous speed differentials on track.
The FIA said changes introduced for the Miami Grand Prix had improved racing conditions.
“The conclusion from the deployment of modifications in Miami was that they resulted in improved competition and were a step in the right direction,” the governing body said.
“Following analysis and consultation, the FIA reported that no material issues or safety concerns had been identified from Miami.”
The FIA added that further refinements were being evaluated, including revised start procedures, wet-weather safety measures and enhanced visual signalling systems that could be introduced in time for the Canadian Grand Prix.
