2026 power units discussed in latest Formula 1 Commission

The Formula 1 Commission, the second in 2025, was chaired by FIA Single-Seater Director Nikolas Tombazis and Formula One Management CEO and President Stefano Domenicali.

The meeting covered several topics related to the 2025 and 2026 seasons, with interest naturally surrounding the 2026 F1 power unit regulations that have been subject to controversy of late.

There have been concerns about the upcoming F1 power units that will have a 50/50 power delivery ratio between the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) and the electric components, with worries that the batteries will be depleted on the straights, especially on power-sensitive circuits.

Following an initial call to shorten the period of use of the 2026 engines and plan a move back to naturally aspirated V10s that work on sustainable fuel that was basically shot down after a meeting in Bahrain, a new proposal was brought forward that includes reducing the energy deployment from the electrical part of the power unit, thus avoiding battery depletion and a consequent dramatic power drop for the cars.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff labeled the latest suggestion a joke amid a political war going on in the background between power unit manufacturers who are already on the back foot with their power unit development, reportedly Red Bull, whose boss Christian Horner supported the suggested changes.

There have been reports claiming that the reduction in electrical deployment will be applied only in races, thus remaining the same in qualifying, which will be considered as a middle ground.

There were also discussions regarding situations if some power unit manufacturers end up lagging and how to allow them to catch up both on performance and reliability.

This is to avoid a repeat of what happened in 2014 when Mercedes showed up with a dominant power unit and others struggled to catch up.

Reports claim that, since 2026 power unit expenditure will be governed by a cost cap, struggling manufacturers will be allowed extra hours on the dyno as well as extra margin in the cost cap.

However, the meeting did not deliver a solid outcome, as the FIA said further discussions by specialists will take place before any further decisions.

The FIA said in a statement: "The F1 Commission discussed in principle refinements to the energy management strategy for 2026, as well as measures to address financial issues that can be faced by Power Unit Manufacturers that experience either low performance or significant reliability issues in 2026.

"All of these topics will be discussed in more detail among the specialists in the appropriate advisory committees," the FIA added.

In terms of 2025-related matters, the hot topic was the grass fires that interrupted the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix as well as the mandatory two pitstops for the Monaco Grand Prix, in addition to financial regulation tweaks related to capital expenditure related to the new teams—namely, the Cadillac Formula 1 team.

The FIA said: "An amendment to the Financial Regulations was agreed in respect of capital expenditure allowance for new entrants, this being necessary ahead of the arrival of the Cadillac Formula 1 team in 2026.

"The issue of fires on grass (as experienced recently during the Japanese Grand Prix) was discussed and it was agreed to investigate both an alternative skid material (steel) and potential treatment on some circuits," the statement concluded.