Oscar Piastri Calls for Immediate Switch to 60/40 Engine Split in F1

Oscar Piastri has added his voice to growing calls for F1 to shift to a 60/40 combustion-to-electric power split, stating the change is necessary for the sport's future. The McLaren driver echoed frustrations from Max Verstappen, who labeled the current 50/50 hybrid formula a hindrance to on-track action.

Why it matters:

The debate over the power unit split is a defining issue for F1's next regulatory cycle. Drivers argue the current 50/50 balance makes cars harder to drive and reduces overtaking, harming the spectacle. A move to 60/40 could improve racing but faces resistance from manufacturers like Ferrari and Audi, who have poured resources into developing the existing hybrid technology.

The details:

• Piastri said "things need to change going forward" and that "the sooner the better" for a switch to more combustion power.
• Verstappen has previously described a 60/40 split as the "bare minimum" to keep him interested in the sport.
• Piastri acknowledged the difficulty for manufacturers: "I understand that it's not an easy thing for all the manufacturers to effectively redesign things again, so quickly, after so much investment."
• Ferrari and Audi have voiced "docile concerns" about modifying the current formula, per the report.
• No official decisions have been made, but the topic is gaining momentum among drivers and teams.

What's next:

The FIA and F1 commercial rights holders will face mounting pressure to address driver concerns. While a near-term change is unlikely given the investment cycle, Piastri's comments signal that the push for a more combustion-oriented formula is not fading. The outcome could shape the next generation of power unit regulations, with drivers and manufacturers locked in a tug-of-war over the sport's technical direction.