Formula 1 is considering a major shift in its plans for the 2026 regulations, after concerns voiced by drivers and team principals.
F1 will adopt brand new chassis and power unit regulations from the 2026 season, which is a first in the 75-year history of the championship. The new chassis will feature active aerodynamics, allowing drivers to operate movable front and rear wings on their cars along straights.
Drivers will also gain access to a power unit ‘override mode’ that mimics the KERS boost from 2011, which will give them extra power on command to help with overtaking. However, F1 drivers have expressed ‘worrying’ concerns over what impact that might have on the racing.
Work continues behind the scenes on how the new turbo hybrid power units will look, but there might be changes on the horizon. According to a report from The Race, there will be discussions held over changing one crucial element.
- READ MORE: Everything we know about F1’s 2026 regulation changes from engines to tyres
F1 looking at changing engine and battery power split for 2026
The split between the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) and battery has become a hot topic in F1 with the 2026 regulations, after concerns over whether it would leave drivers without power down long straights.
The current plan is to have a 50/50 split between the combustion engine and the battery, but that could change pending the outcome of the discussions between teams.
According to the report, the proposal is to have battery power deployment reduced from the current 350kW down to 200kW for the race. This will shift the ratio from 50/50 to 64/36.
The idea is that with less power being deployed, it gives the battery more energy to store and release over greater distances per lap and for longer periods down the straights.
One added benefit of reducing the ratio in favour of the combustion element is that drivers will have more opportunities to use the added boost for overtaking.
Christian Horner voices concerns over 2026 F1 engines being ‘bad for the spectacle’
Christian Horner was among those who first voiced concerns about the ratio between the two entities, and has reiterated his concerns.
“What we desperately want to avoid is a situation where drivers are lifting and coasting from halfway down the straight,” said Horner.
“That will frustrate the drivers. It will be bad for the spectacle of out-and-out racing. The FIA have all the info, and waiting until the start of next year to do something is arguably too late. We’ve still got eight months to sort things out.”
Talks are likely to progress throughout the year, but it is clear that teams are split amid reports that the FIA is considering a shock switch to V10 engines as early as 2028.
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