Amid mounting concerns over the performance of the new 2026 power units, the FIA is stepping up efforts to address early-season issues without abandoning the core philosophy behind the regulations.
Ahead of another round of talks with teams and manufacturers, Nikolas Tombazis, the single-seater director, has outlined a measured, two-phase approach to improving energy management before the championship heads to the Miami Grand Prix:
Key points
- FIA working with teams to fix 2026 engine issues before the Miami Grand Prix
- No major overhaul: 50% electric power concept stays
- Nikolas Tombazis confirms no hardware changes
- Fixes will come via software and energy management rules
- Two-phase plan: immediate tweaks + later refinements
- Aim: let drivers push harder, manage less energy
No radical overhaul despite early concerns
Following problematic races in Australia and Japan, where energy deployment and harvesting revealed significant weaknesses, there is a growing sense of urgency to take action. However, the FIA is not considering drastic changes.
Tombazis confirmed that the key feature of the 2026 regulations — the 50% electric power split — will not be altered. Despite criticism from drivers and teams, the governing body is committed to preserving the original concept behind this new engine era.
“We’re not talking about a complete overhaul ,” said Tombazis
Rather than a sweeping redesign, the focus is on refinement. The issues seen in the opening races have highlighted the challenge of balancing electrical energy deployment without compromising outright performance, particularly in qualifying conditions, when drivers require maximum power rather than conserving energy strategically.
A “trial and error” approach to fixes
According to Tombazis, the current situation calls for a pragmatic and flexible response. Although early warnings were noted during pre-season testing in Bahrain, it was only once the cars hit the track in competitive conditions that the full scale of the problem became clear.
“You can learn theoretically how to play the violin, but until you play it, you don’t necessarily understand what it entails,” Tombazis continues,
“These rules are what we call, collectively, energy management rules. They won’t require hardware modifications, but they may require some changes in settings and software,”
This has led the FIA and manufacturers to embrace a ‘trial and error’ methodology. Rather than rushing into major changes, incremental adjustments will be introduced and evaluated over time. The goal is to fine-tune how energy is deployed and recovered, so that drivers can push consistently rather than being forced to manage their energy excessively during races.
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Software tweaks over hardware changes
One of the key takeaways from the discussions so far is that no hardware modifications are planned. Instead, solutions will be found through regulatory adjustments, software changes and revised energy management strategies.
This approach also ensures parity among manufacturers, avoiding a development race that could spiral out of control financially and technically.
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Two-stage plan under consideration
A structured, two-phase plan is now on the table. Phase 1 would introduce immediate adjustments aimed at stabilising performance in the short term, while Phase 2 would give manufacturers more time to optimise their systems within the revised framework.
“We might decide to introduce a phase 1 and a phase 2 , perhaps giving phase 2 a little more time so that manufacturers can make some adjustments.” says the FIA Director.
This staggered rollout reflects the FIA’s desire to balance urgency with caution. Rushing through changes could have unintended consequences, whereas a phased approach allows for continuous evaluation and refinement.
Crucially, it also gives engine suppliers the time they need to adapt their software and settings without causing too much disruption to the competitive order.
Call for unity across the paddock
Tombazis acknowledged the passionate reactions of drivers, teams and fans, many of whom have expressed concerns about the current state of racing. However, he emphasised the need for collaboration rather than conflict.
“Everyone is passionate about this sport: drivers, fans, and when things aren’t perfect, they express it passionately. We don’t expect people to sugarcoat their comments, but I hope for broad consensus, for the teams to support us, and for us not to find ourselves in a situation where we have to argue too much.” concluded Tombazis.
The FIA is seeking a broad consensus from all stakeholders to ensure that any changes are both effective and widely supported. Avoiding political disputes within the paddock will be crucial to implementing solutions quickly and efficiently.
With the Miami weekend approaching, the coming days of discussions could be pivotal. Although the problems are significant, the governing body is confident that a calibrated, cooperative approach can put Formula 1’s new engine era back on track without compromising its long-term vision.
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F1 is utterly broken, they need to be a bit braver and soon
I see this as a do nothing but talk a good game. F1 is broken, fans are leaving, fiddle while Rome burns