FIA scraps removal of F1 power unit rule change after tweaks to regulations

Formula 1's power unit manufacturers will continue to benefit from extra leeway on various components for a second and third year, with the FIA confirming the allowance introduced for 2026 will remain in place through 2027 and 2028 as well.

F1 switched to a new engine formula this year. The V6 hybrid architecture has survived, but in heavily revised form: the complex MGU-H has been scrapped, and far more emphasis now falls on the electrical side of the power unit through the MGU-K.

That overhaul, which typically brings teething troubles of its own, prompted the FIA and Formula 1 to soften the rules slightly for 2026.

Every team was permitted one additional unit of each engine component, giving manufacturers some breathing room before grid penalties came into play.

The exception was always intended as a bridge through the early years of the new regulations. The 2026 rulebook stated explicitly that the extra unit allowance would apply for that season only.

But the newly published regulations for the 2027 season show a change of plan. Article B8.2.3 of the sporting regulations now states that all drivers may use one additional example of each power unit element listed in Article B8.2.2, for the 2026, 2027 and 2028 seasons alike.

What it means for drivers and teams in 2027 and 2028

Drivers will be able to use four internal combustion engines, four turbochargers, four exhaust systems, three energy stores, three control electronics units, three MGU-Ks and six power unit ancillary components across those campaigns. Without the extension, each of those allocations would have dropped by one unit.

The decision to carry the exception into 2027 and 2028 appears to stem from the subtle but significant tweaks still being made to the power unit rules over the coming seasons.

The internal combustion engine currently supplies 53 per cent of total power output, with the electric motor contributing 47 per cent.

That split shifts to 58/42 in 2027, before moving to a final 60/40 ratio in 2028.

The change brings higher fuel flow requirements, which is why grand prix distances will be trimmed from 305 kilometres to 290 kilometres from 2027, Monaco aside, where the race has always been run over 260 kilometres.

Race distances are set to return to their usual length from 2028, though it remains unclear exactly which technical adjustments to the cars will be needed to make that possible.