FIA urged to leave F1 teams 'with no choice' over contentious debate

The FIA has been urged to leave grand prix teams "with no choice" but to accept changes to the 2027 engine rules by Williams driver Carlos Sainz. 

Currently, F1's governing body is in talks with the teams and the five power unit manufacturers about tweaking the power output from the new engines to build in a 60:40 split of power between the internal combustion engine and the battery system.

At the present time, the split is an equal 50:50, which was a central pillar of the new engine regulations, but in a bid to reduce reliance on the batteries, an idea was agreed in principle to tweak the ratio for the 2027 season.

However, it is understood that Audi and Ferrari are currently against the idea, with Honda, Mercedes HPP, and Red Bull Powertrains believed to, or have confirmed, that they would approve such a change.

The fact that two PUMs are against the change is crucial, as a supermajority on the Power Unit Advisory Committee is required - in addition to the FIA and F1. 

A supermajority is four of the five PUMs plus the FIA and F1, meaning any vote would fail given the opposition of Audi and Ferrari.

However, Williams driver Sainz, who uses a class-leading Mercedes HPP customer power unit, believes the FIA, responsible for overseeing F1's technical regulations, should get tough and take a "very strong approach" over forcing the change through for 2027, regardless of if there is opposition.

"There is the Commission where the teams have a vote, and I guess that is where I was saying to the FIA and to FOM to push it through and stay committed," Sainz told media, including RacingNews365, when presented with his comments for the FIA to be "tough."

"Because if they say it should be like that, I'm pretty sure that teams who are complaining or maybe not fully aligned with them will have no choice other than to do it. 

"Obviously, everyone needs to agree, but at the same time, if it is for the good of the sport, for the good of the racing and the show, I'm a big fan of the rulers taking a very strong approach and a strong stance.

"I think there is scope and a margin to improve this engine and these regulations with what is being proposed for next year.

"I don't think we can do much more this year, and from my side, I've decided to maybe just stop complaining, because it is clear that this year is not ideal, and it is never going to be.

"But I am very hopeful about next year and how much it can change."

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