Formula 1 delivered another intriguing spectacle at the Canadian Grand Prix, but the entertaining on-track product has masked deep, systemic frustration over the sport’s complex power unit regulations. As a critical debate over the sport’s technical future intensifies, McLaren has hinted at a radical future transformation, while the grid’s top drivers warn that the current rules remain inherently flawed.
McLaren Leaves the Door Open to a Full Works Operation
The technical turbulence surrounding the current generation of engines could ultimately reshape more than just the rulebook. McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown has revealed that the British outfit would seriously consider transforming from a customer team into a full works operation—building its own engine—if the sport can establish a financially sustainable formula.
For now, McLaren remains a prominent Mercedes customer, continuing a partnership that runs through to at least 2030. However, as paddock discussions grow regarding a potential return to high-revving V8 engines down the line, the prospect of McLaren becoming an independent manufacturer is no longer being dismissed as fantasy.
Speaking to reporters at the Indy 500, Brown outlined the exact requirement for a works project:
“I think if you got an engine formula that was financially viable then, yeah, we would consider it and the technology. That being said, we couldn’t be happier with Mercedes, so if something is presented to us that first financially makes sense, then we’ll have a look at it.”
The Grand Prix Illusion: Great Racing, Bad Formula?
It appeared to bring out the best in the 2026 cars, yielding plenty of genuine, wheel-to-wheel racing and overtaking. Intense battles between George Russell and Kimi Antonelli spiked the heart rates over at the Mercedes garage, while Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen relished a fierce duel that Hamilton ultimately won.
Recent energy deployment tweaks introduced in Miami did provide a noticeable step forward, easing driver concerns about how these power units must be managed. Yet, despite the thrilling Canadian GP spectacle, the podium finishers warned that qualifying and race-day energy deployment remain major points of concern.
“I think it still continues to be a weird feeling,” Hamilton told Motorsport when asked if drivers have learned to enjoy racing these cars. “You go down the power, you open up the straight mode, and then the power dies like halfway down the straight and the RPM starts dropping. It doesn’t feel like what motorsport should be. The engine should be wringing its neck off right to the end of the straight and just pulling and pulling. That’s what they used to do in the V8 or V10 times.”
While Hamilton praised the fundamental aerodynamic design of the cars for allowing close following, he concluded bluntly: “The power part, I think, is less exciting.”
Drivers “Triggered” by Complex Electronics
Race winner and championship leader Kimi Antonelli echoed the sentiment, explaining that the constant balancing act between throttle position and battery charge remains incredibly tedious.
“It still sometimes triggers you a little bit how the system works,” the Mercedes rookie explained. “But with the changes that were made, also the FIA giving teams a bit more allowance on the system, it definitely has helped quite a bit… But on the power unit side, there’s still work to do and it will be interesting to see if the regulation is going to change, if they’re going to give a bit more power to the combustion [engine].”
Max Verstappen—who previously hinted it is mentally “not doable” for him to stay in F1 long-term unless proposed 2027 engine tweaks are voted through—firmly dismissed the idea that a good race vindicates the current regulations. The FIA for 2027 is suggesting the power ratios be tweaked from 50/50 to 60/40 in favour of the combustion engine.
“Most of the drivers, we’re the best in the world,” Verstappen cautioned. “So even if you would give us a rental car, we’ll give you a good show and we’ll race each other very hard and well. So, it has nothing to do in that sense with the rules.
“The fans don’t even know what we are dealing with while driving… how much battery that we’re allowed to charge. It’s such a shame that we have to deal with all these things. For me, F1 just needs to be more pure and I really hope that what they try to do next year will go through because I think that is the minimum necessary to make it a bit more natural.”
Zak Brown: The “Magnifying Glass” of F1
Despite the heavy criticism coming from the cockpits regarding battery management, Zak Brown remains convinced that the sport is not facing an entertainment crisis, viewing the friction as a natural byproduct of new technology.
“The racing is great. If you didn’t hear the drivers and were just watching on TV, the TV product is great,” Brown argued. “There’s passing, five different leaders in Miami, passes for the lead… I think what happened is typical with any new technology. The drivers are getting more used to it and the rules are getting more refined. We’ll get them maybe not to a perfect place, but there’s always been rule management, tire management, and now you have battery management. It will smooth itself out. Everything in Formula 1 has a magnifying glass of 1,000 on it.”
Political Gridlock Over the 2027 Rules Remake
Formula 1’s top brass is already discussing potential adjustments for 2027, but pushing through major technical changes requires substantial support from a deeply divided Power Unit Advisory Committee.
Currently, Honda and Audi are resisting any change, whilst Ferrari sits on the fence awaiting the FIA’s decision on whether they qualify for Additional Development opportunities for their power unit.
Whether F1 decides to simplify its formula or stick to its heavily electrified path, the upcoming decision will dictate both the long-term future of its star drivers and McLaren’s willingness to build its own engine.
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With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
A.J. Hunt is Senior Editor at TJ13, where Andrew oversees editorial standards and contributes to the site’s Formula 1 coverage. A career journalist with experience in both print and digital sports media, Andrew trained in investigative journalism and has written for a range of European sports outlets.
At TJ13, Andrew plays a central role in shaping the site’s output, working across breaking news, analysis, and long-form features. Andrew’s responsibilities include fact-checking, refining editorial structure, and ensuring consistency in reporting across a fast-moving news cycle.
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