FIA's 2027-2028 Engine Tweaks Head to World Motor Sport Council: The Road to 60-40
The FIA, FOM, all ten teams, and every power unit manufacturer have agreed a phased two-step rebalancing of F1's power unit regulations. Internal combustion output rises to 420 kW in 2027 (58-42 split) and to 450 kW in 2028 (60-40 split). Formal ratification by the World Motor Sport Council is scheduled for June 23 in Macau.
Background: why the 2026 power unit rules came under scrutiny
Formula 1's landmark 2026 regulations introduced a near-50/50 split between the internal combustion engine (ICE) and the hybrid Energy Recovery System (ERS). The change tripled electrical output compared to the previous generation of power units.[5] Within the opening rounds of the season, however, the energy-management demands of those rules generated widespread criticism: drivers found themselves coasting off throttle in corners, harvesting battery charge rather than attacking corners flat out.[4]
The agreed package
A package of changes to the Formula 1 Technical, Sporting and Financial Regulations for 2027 and 2028 has been agreed by the FIA, Formula One Management, teams, and power unit manufacturers, following discussions held since the opening races of the 2026 season. [1]
The restructuring is staged across two seasons.[2] For 2027, ICE power will increase from 400 kW to 420 kW via a five percent increase in fuel flow; in 2028 it rises further to 450 kW through a 13 percent increase in fuel flow. [4] By increasing fuel flow to the ICE and reducing the output of the MGU-K in normal racing conditions, the split will be 58/42 in favour of the ICE in 2027 and 60/40 by 2028. [4] The maximum power output of the MGU-K in normal racing conditions will be reduced from 350 kW to 300 kW, although 350 kW will still be available in Overtake Mode. [4]
The amount of energy the MGU-K can recover will increase from 350 kW this year to 375 kW in 2027 and 400 kW in 2028. [4] Supporting measures relating to power unit supply conditions, race operations, and the relevant financial regulations are also included in the agreement. [3]
The path to ratification
The FIA will expedite the formal approval process to provide all parties with early clarity and sufficient time to adapt to the revised requirements; the proposed changes will be submitted to the World Motor Sport Council for approval on June 23 in Macau. [1]
:::analysis The two-step phasing reflects the practical engineering reality that a 13 percent fuel-flow increase demands changes to both power unit architecture and fuel-tank volume. Compressing that into a single off-season was always going to stretch manufacturer capacity, particularly for newer entrants. The compromise structure keeps competitive equity broadly intact while giving all parties a longer design window for the full 60-40 transition.
The fact that the package also extends to financial regulations is significant: any cost-cap flexibility granted here will shape how aggressively manufacturers can invest in the revised ICE architecture without breaching their development budgets. Whether that flexibility is distributed symmetrically across all suppliers, or calibrated to the size of each organisation, will be worth tracking once the WMSC publishes the formal approved text.
With the Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring on the calendar now, the regulatory clarity provided by a June 23 vote comes at a useful moment: teams will enter the second half of the season knowing the hardware direction for 2027 is locked in, allowing parallel development programmes to proceed with confidence. :::
Related reading
- [1]Agreement reached on proposed F1 regulatory changes for 2027 and 2028 (formula1). Accessed 2026-06-22.
- [2]Agreement reached on proposed regulatory changes for 2027 and 2028 (fia). Accessed 2026-06-22.
- [3]Formula 1 agree engine rule changes for 2027 and 2028 seasons in move away from 50-50 power split (skysports). Accessed 2026-06-22.
- [4]F1 agree change to controversial engine rules after drivers' complaints (espn). Accessed 2026-06-22.
- [5]FIA announces 2027 F1 rule changes for combustion and electrical output (autosport). Accessed 2026-06-22.