FIA could not 'twist Renault's arm' over 2026 F1 quit decision

FIA single-seater technical chief Nikolas Tombazis insists it would not "twist somebody's arm" to stay as an F1 power unit manufacturer after Renault's withdrawal. 

Renault confirmed earlier this week that it would be closing its works F1 power unit programme ahead of the 2026 regulations reset, with its works Alpine team reverting to a supply of customer Mercedes units. 

It is the second time an F1 power unit supplier has withdrawn in the turbo hybrid era after Honda in 2021, but the Japanese manufacturer quietly came back with Red Bull and has committed to a full works programme with Aston Martin from 2026, when the power units will feature beefed-up electrical systems and run on synthetic and 100% sustainable fuels.

Renault was one of six manufacturers signed up to help craft the 2026 rules, but it now leaves Honda, Ferrari, Mercedes, Red Bull Powertrains and Audi as the PU suppliers after the withdrawal. 

But Tombazis feels that despite the work Renault had put in to help design the rules, the FIA could not make it stay in F1 if it wanted to leave.

"We discussed when we defined the registration process that the registration was intended to cover the FIA costs of policing the PU manufacturers in creating these regulations," Tombazis told select media including RacingNews365.

"But they are not intended to twist somebody's arm to continue to work in the sport. 

"It is 120, 130, 140 million and taken over five years, it is approaching a billion, and I don't think the FIA would ever constrain an OEM to having a $1 billion investment because they've registered and paid a small registration fee.

"It was always possible for anybody to pull out, and we want people to stay because they want to, not because we are forceful."