Honda deliver first power unit manufacturer verdict on F1 engine rule changes

Honda has declared that the engine rule changes the FIA has introduced to F1 as a "reasonable step" after months of talks.

It was announced on Thursday that F1 is going to move away from the 50:50 split in power output from the new engines for 2027 after fierce criticism from a number of drivers, including Max Verstappen and Lando Norris.

Instead, for 2027, a change to a 53:47 ratio will be introduced, before a full 60:40 split comes in for 2028, with the fuel flow to the internal combustion engine being increased to bring about the shift. 

The plan for a 60:40 split was first agreed in principle around the time of the Miami Grand Prix, but it is understood that both Audi and Ferrari had seperate concerns about the change, with talks going on between the FIA, F1, and the five PUMs on the grid - Audi, Ferrari, Honda, Mercedes HPP, and Red Bull Powertrains - to broker a solution. 

Ultimately, the changes have been made, subject to formal ratification from the World Motor Sport Council on June 23rd. 

Becoming the first PUM to publicly comment on the final raft of changes, Honda's Trackside General Manager and Chief Engineer Shintaro Orihara gave his verdict.

"It is hard to say," Orihara told media, including RacingNews365. 

"I would say that our target is to get more engine power, but I would say that [the rule changes announced by the FIA] is a reasonable step for the power unit side."

Orihara also touched on the recent ADUO reports that Red Bull Powertrains had been declared the strongest engine in F1, with Mercedes HPP, Audi, Ferrari, and Honda all set to receive upgrade tokens to improve their performance.

ADUO only covers the Internal Combustion Engine performance metrics, with Orihara believing the results were "quite fair."

"We received information from the FIA, and got some numbers, and now we hope to develop our engine performance for the summer period," he said.

"We are working on improved combustion performance.

"Our expectations and the FIA's [results] were kind of similar, so I think RBPT did a great job, and I respect what they have done. 

"The number we received from the FIA was quite fair for us."