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Formula 1 Says It Refuses To Be Held Hostage By Automakers Anymore
TL;DR
Formula 1 has declared it will no longer be controlled by automakers, as new power unit regulations face criticism. The balance between electric and internal combustion engines is causing technical challenges and dissatisfaction among drivers.
Key points
- Formula 1 refuses to be controlled by automakers.
- New power unit regulations feature a split between electric and internal combustion engines.
- Drivers are calling the new rules anti-racing.
- Nikolas Tombazis admitted the new engine formula has flaws.
- Technical compromises are affecting the viability of the new system.
Mentioned in this story
Formula 1FIANikolas Tombazis
Max Verstappen
formula 1 says it refuses to be held hostage by automakers anymore
Formula 1's new generation of power unit regulations was supposed to be a strong show of where the auto industry was headed. Now, just a few years after the regulations were codified and just a handful of races, that assumption is already being tested.
FIA single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis, whose team was responsible for developing the 2026 ruleset into a tangible product, admitted the guiding principles of the new engine formula are properly flawed during a media call ahead of the Miami Grand Prix.
A near 50/50 split between electric power and internal combustion engines has begun to fracture the narrative around the sport. Managing how energy is deployed and recovered, particularly with such a large reliance on electrical output, has forced several technical compromises just to make the system viable in a racing environment. What's worse, drivers have started to call the new rules anti-racing. Max Verstappen hates the new rules so much that he might even just retire-a trashy look for the pinnacle of motorsport.
formula 1 says it refuses to be held hostage by automakers anymore
When the regulations were agreed to in 2022, the automotive industry was moving toward full electrification at a pace that seemed irreversible. Manufacturers giving their input into the new F1 engine rules were adamant that new internal combustion engine development would soon stop, and the sport's rules needed to follow that logic.
"The automotive companies who were very involved told us that they're never going to make another [new] internal combustion engine again," Tombazis was quoted as saying by .
Q&A
What are the new power unit regulations in Formula 1?
The new regulations involve a near 50/50 split between electric power and internal combustion engines, aimed at reflecting the auto industry's direction.
Why are drivers unhappy with the new F1 rules?
Drivers, including Max Verstappen, have criticized the new rules as anti-racing, citing technical compromises that affect performance.
Who is Nikolas Tombazis and what did he say about the F1 regulations?
Nikolas Tombazis is the FIA single-seater director responsible for the 2026 ruleset, and he acknowledged that the guiding principles of the new engine formula are flawed.
What impact do the new regulations have on the future of Formula 1?
The regulations are testing the sport's narrative and could lead to significant changes in how racing is conducted, especially if driver dissatisfaction continues.
