The FIA has confirmed the 2027 Formula 1 rule changes following criticism from Verstappen of battery-heavy racing – The FIA has officially confirmed that Formula 1 is heading towards major regulatory changes in 2027, with increased combustion engine power and reduced battery usage now agreed ‘in principle’ following discussions with teams, manufacturers, and drivers, including the current world champion, Max Verstappen.
After a key meeting involving team principals, Formula One Management and engine manufacturers, the governing body released a detailed statement outlining plans aimed at reducing excessive energy management and improving the racing spectacle. These proposals follow mounting criticism from drivers regarding the direction of the 2026 regulations, particularly the concern that cars could become overly dependent on battery conservation during races.
The FIA says the changes made for the Miami Grand Prix were ‘a step in the right direction’.
Prior to the recent Miami Grand Prix, the FIA introduced modifications to reduce excessive battery harvesting and enhance safety. These changes were well received in the paddock, particularly by Verstappen, who has repeatedly criticised Formula 1’s increasing focus on energy management.
FIA Statement on 2027 rule changes
In its statement, the FIA confirmed that the initial assessment of the Miami package had been positive.
“The meeting began with an evaluation of the changes introduced for the Miami Grand Prix, before the discussion moved on to longer-term regulatory considerations.”
The governing body added: “The conclusion regarding the implementation of modifications in Miami, designed to improve safety and reduce excessive charging, was that it resulted in improved competition and was a step in the right direction.”
The FIA also confirmed that, following further analysis with teams and manufacturers, no major safety concerns had emerged after the event.
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Combustion engine power is set to increase in 2027
The biggest news to come out of the meeting was the confirmation that Formula 1 intends to alter the balance between internal combustion engine output and electrical deployment for 2027.
Under the current proposal, combustion engine power will increase by 50 kW through greater fuel flow, while battery output will decrease by the same amount.
The FIA stated: “The measures agreed in principle for 2027 would result in a nominal increase in internal combustion engine power of 50 kW, achieved through an increase in fuel flow.”
It added: “Battery power will also decrease by 50 kW in nominal terms.”
This represents a significant philosophical shift for Formula 1, which has spent years pushing towards greater electrical dependence within the hybrid power units.
Drivers and teams have expressed growing fears that the 2026 cars could force competitors into extreme lift-and-coast driving due to battery depletion on circuits with long straights. Verstappen has been one of the most vocal critics of this prospect since discussions about the new regulations intensified in 2023.
The FIA is still evaluating further aerodynamic and safety changes
The FIA has also confirmed that further changes are still under discussion before the final 2027 package is approved.
These include additional safety measures for race starts, revised wet-weather procedures, and improved visual signalling systems, which could be introduced as early as the Canadian Grand Prix.
Meanwhile, teams are discussing potential aerodynamic revisions to reduce drag and limit battery depletion at high speeds.
According to reports from The Race, manufacturers, including Mercedes, believe that changes to active aerodynamic systems could help to maintain higher top speeds without exhausting the battery reserves too quickly.
One proposal involves expanding the use of a low-drag ‘straight mode’ to cover more sections of a circuit, enabling drivers to save less energy during races.
There are also discussions over increasing energy recovery limits and introducing larger batteries, although these ideas are technically and politically complex.
Horner and Verstappen were right?
Verstappen’s long-standing concerns are increasingly being echoed across the paddock. He has consistently argued that Formula 1 risks losing its identity if drivers are forced to prioritise battery preservation over racing.
This concern is now becoming increasingly widespread throughout the paddock, with teams and the FIA seemingly in agreement about the need to prevent the 2026 regulations from producing races that are dominated by energy management rather than outright competition.
Horner’s “Frankenstein car” warning is looking increasingly relevant
Concerns about the future direction of Formula 1 engines are nothing new. Back in 2023, Christian Horner warned that the planned 2026 regulations risked creating a “Frankenstein” car, forcing teams to compromise on aerodynamic efficiency, battery deployment and drag reduction.
The Red Bull boss questioned whether this heavy reliance on electricity would ultimately damage the quality of racing, particularly on circuits with long straights where drivers could run out of energy before reaching the end of the acceleration zone.
At the time, Verstappen also voiced concerns about the planned near 50–50 split between combustion engine and electrical power within the new hybrid regulations.
The reigning world champion argued that Formula 1 risked moving too far away from its traditional ‘flat-out’ identity if drivers were forced to save excessive amounts of energy throughout races.
Now that the FIA has confirmed plans to increase combustion engine output while reducing battery contribution for 2027, many inside the paddock believe that the governing body is effectively responding to warnings first raised by Red Bull and Verstappen several years ago.
The FIA has confirmed that drivers played a direct role in shaping the proposals
“The final proposals presented at the meeting are the result of a series of consultations over the past few weeks between the FIA and multiple stakeholders, with invaluable input from F1 drivers.”
However, the governing body stressed that more discussions are required before the package can be formally approved.
“It was agreed that further detailed discussions within technical groups comprising teams and engine manufacturers were required before the final package was finalised.”
The finalised proposals will eventually be put to an electronic vote by the FIA World Motor Sport Council after manufacturers have completed their evaluation of the package.
For now, however, Formula 1 appears to be moving decisively towards a future with greater influence from combustion engines — a development that will likely be welcomed by Verstappen and many other drivers.
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