Engine manufacturers against revision of regulations in 2026

16/06/2024
NEWS STORY

Mercedes and Renault have warned that the agreed engine regulations for 2026 cannot be changed.

While team social media administrators diligently posted photos of the proposed 2026 look, praising the work of F1 and the FIA, engineers and drivers pored over the accompanying official statement and then admitted to concerns that all was not well.

However, it’s not just the teams who are unhappy, as proposed amendments to the agreed engine rules have also left manufacturers unhappy.

In order to achieve a 50/50 split between the traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) and electricity stored in batteries, which was a major influence on Audi and Ford’s entry into the sport, new fuel flow restrictions were to be introduced.

However, in a bid to accelerate the new generation of cars, increased limits have been proposed to increase ICE engine power.

“If any adjustments are needed, I am sure the PU manufacturers will help and cooperate,” FIA single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis said in Montreal last week in response to criticism of the proposed regulations from teams and drivers.

However, in the same way that aspects of the chassis and aerodynamics regulations appear to have been agreed without the teams’ consent, engine manufacturers are not very happy with decisions such as this one, which were made when the regulations were essentially unchanged.

“When it comes to the power unit, the ship has sailed,” said Toto Wolff. “On the chassis side there are possible improvements we need to make, but on the engine side the process is far too advanced.

“There are teams that feel they are on the sidelines,” he added, “and there are other teams that feel, and OEMs too, that they have done a good job. It’s a normal kind of struggling with regulations.”

It’s safe to say that one of those whom Wolff described as “left behind” is Renault, which, still trying to catch up after changing previous regulations, plans to change the situation significantly in 2026. However, any changes in this area late this evening are likely to would set the French manufacturer back again.

“We have to be careful because on the chassis side almost nothing is done because there are no regulations,” said Bruno Famin. “But in the case of PU, we have two years of work.”

However, Christian Horner, whose Red Bull Powertrains will enter the sport in 2026, disagrees.

“There is always someone who doesn’t want to change,” he said. “But it depends on the FIA. They have all the knowledge and simulations.

“As I say, it’s never too late,” he insisted. “You have to look at what is best for F1 at the end of the day and what will deliver the best racing. So trust the FIA ​​and FOM to make the right decisions. Whether it is required or not, they have all the necessary knowledge.”