Exclusive: Formula E CEO sees no threat in 2026 F1 regulations

Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds has praised Formula 1's decision to introduce 50% electrical power in its 2026 power unit regulations, with the CEO supporting F1's choice to become more sustainable. 

The new engine regulations for F1 in 2026 have been a big talking point and have attracted interest from Audi and Red Bull, who are both set to become power unit suppliers. Ford are also returning to F1, as a technical partner of Red Bull's. 

F1 powertrains from 2026 will be 50% internal combustion and 50% electrical power, which will see some technology from FE used. 100% sustainable fuel will also be in operation. 

It is easy to see F1's move as a threat to FE; however, it has the legal right to being the FIA's only all-electric championship. Because of this, F1 can never move to being entirely electric. 

As has been discovered in the initial models of the 2026 cars, weight is a problem with 50/50 ICE and electrical power, making Dodds unsure how much further F1 could go with its new regulations due to weight concerns. 

"I look at it from multiple different angles," Dodds told RacingNews365 in an exclusive interview, when asked for his thoughts on F1 moving towards electrification. 

"So first of all, we're the only world championship motorsport under the FIA that can race full electric, that's us, that's what we're famous for.

"In '26, F1 go 50/50, I'm not sure how far beyond 50/50 they could go because of the power to weight challenges of having two different energy sources in the car. 

"And I don't think they're interested in getting heavier and going slower, so I'm not sure how far beyond it that goes."

Dodds praises F1 sustainability push

The biggest benefit of F1's new regulations is that it is a significant step towards becoming more sustainable. 

With the F1 calendar consisting of 24 races nowadays, the championship's carbon impact is dreadful. 

Dodds sees F1 introducing 50% electrical power more as a positive for FE and motorsport in general, than a negative. 

This is based on three factors: the first is that F1 using FE technology will further "validate" the all-electric series, the second is that Dodds will never criticise a company attempting to become more sustainable, and thirdly that it will prove that FE is making the right choices.

"So on one hand, we have the exclusive right to race electric," continued Dodds. "On a different hand, the more electric they go, the more they validate our technology, which I think is interesting.

"And on the third hand, the more sustainable they become using E-fuels and becoming hybrid, I, if I was wearing it, I would tip my proverbial cap to them, because good on them trying to make their series more sustainable.

"I mean, in the end, I'll never criticise anybody for this, trying to reduce their carbon impact on the world. And one of the ways they're trying to do that is in E-fuels and in hybrid.

"They'll never be all electric, which is our USP (unique selling proposition). I think you could argue it steps on our toes, you could also argue it fully validates our technology choice. So I don't mind those odds."