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F1 Leaders Agree to Make Engine Design Change for 2027 Season
F1 bosses and teams agreed to reduce battery dependence after drivers complained about lifting-and-coasting and battery-boosted passing.
On Friday, Formula One and the FIA agreed in principle to shift 2027 engines toward a 60/40 power split favoring the Internal Combustion Engine over electrical elements through hardware tweaks.
Drivers including Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso criticized the current 50/50 hybrid system, with Verstappen calling the battery-boosted passing 'anti-racing' and Alonso rechristening the sport the 'battery world championship.'
Following successful tweaks at the Miami Grand Prix, the FIA reported no safety issues and confirmed modifications improved competition by addressing excessive energy harvesting concerns.
Hardware changes will increase ICE power by approximately 50kW through fuel-flow adjustments while reducing Energy Recovery System deployment, enabling more flat-out racing and less energy management.
Technical groups will conduct further discussions before the World Motor Sport Council ratifies the final package later this year, as Formula One prepares for the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal on May 24.
From 2027, the ratio between power from the combustion engine and the electric drive would no longer be 50/50, making energy management less important.