F1 power unit changes required but difficult before 2028, says McLaren

TL;DR

McLaren's F1 team boss Andrea Stella states that significant changes to power unit regulations are necessary but unlikely before 2028. Recent adjustments to the rules have shown modest improvements during the Miami Grand Prix.

Key points

McLaren's Andrea Stella calls for changes to power unit regulations
Significant changes unlikely before 2028
Recent rule tweaks showed modest improvements at Miami Grand Prix
Potential changes include increased fuel flow and larger batteries
Lowering downforce levels could be a minor adjustment

McLarenFormula 1

Motorsport photo

McLaren F1 team boss Andrea Stella thinks further changes to the power unit regulations are still required, but the timelines involved are pushing any tweaks to 2028 rather than next year.

F1 recently agreed on a first set of refinements to improve the qualifying spectacle and reduce the extreme closing speeds seen over the first few races of the 2026 rules era. Last weekend's Miami Grand Prix was the first run under the tweaked ruleset and looked to bring modest improvements, with the jury still out on the exact impact of changes to the energy management until F1 heads to more energy-starved circuits later this spring.

While further sporting tweaks are not ruled out if necessary, there is a belief that more significant improvements will require changes to the actual hardware of the power unit, such as an increase in fuel flow which would squeeze more horsepower out of the internal combustion engine and alter the energy balance away from the electric engine, or a bigger battery which means cars don't run out of energy so quickly. A lower-impact move would be for the FIA to implement a minor reduction in downforce levels, as lower cornering speeds mean cars spend less energy.

However, provided F1 stakeholders come to an agreement through the relevant power unit governance structure, any moves to make structural changes to the power unit look extremely unlikely before 2028 at the earliest given the timelines involved, as an increase in fuel flow is not something the current engines are designed for. It would have an impact further downstream on the fuel tank and chassis, with several teams having already planned to stick to their current chassis for next season.

McLaren's Stella, whose team uses Mercedes customer engines, says an increase in fuel flow and a move to bigger batteries is required to fix the current formula, but acknowledged it would be difficult to push through for 2027.

"Hardware adjustments to the power unit in order to improve Formula 1 in general, I personally think are required," Stella said when asked for his view on the topic by Motorsport.

Andrea Stella, McLaren

Q&A

What changes to F1 power units are being discussed for 2028?

Discussions include increasing fuel flow for more horsepower and potentially larger batteries to improve energy management.

How did the recent F1 rule changes impact the Miami Grand Prix?

The recent rule changes brought modest improvements, but their full impact will be assessed at energy-starved circuits later this spring.

What are the current F1 power unit regulations?

The current regulations include a mix of internal combustion engines and electric components, with recent tweaks aimed at improving the qualifying spectacle.

Why are further changes to F1 power units considered difficult before 2028?

The timelines for implementing significant hardware changes are pushing any adjustments to the power unit regulations to 2028 rather than sooner.