Why F1's agreed 60/40 engine split could still unravel

The FIA's announcement of a unanimous commitment to revise F1's power unit regulations for 2027 — shifting from a 50/50 to a 60/40 split of combustion and electrical power — marked a major climbdown from the original formula. But the deal is far from done, with multiple layers of bureaucracy and technical obstacles yet to be cleared.

Why it matters:

The 2026 power units, designed with equal electrical and combustion output, have drawn widespread criticism from drivers and fans for compromising the on-track spectacle. The proposed change aims to restore engine noise, reduce reliance on energy harvesting, and improve racing — but implementing it without breaking budgets or homologation rules is proving tricky.

The details:

• Governance hurdles: Friday's meeting was informal; the proposals must now pass through the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), Power Unit Advisory Committee (PUAC), and finally the World Motor Sport Council — each step open to veto from vested interests.
• Hardware constraints: Achieving a 60/40 split with current homologated parts is impossible. Sources indicate that homologation will need to be reopened, requiring regulatory intervention just to allow the changes.
• Fuel tank size: A higher fuel flow rate for the increased combustion power demands either a bigger fuel tank (which means a new chassis) or a reduced race distance. Teams need certainty before committing to new designs.
• Budget cap impact: Teams didn't plan for large-scale hardware changes. Adjustments to the cost cap may be necessary, adding another layer of negotiation.
• ADUO complications: The Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities mechanism, designed to help struggling manufacturers catch up, could be exploited for 2027 preparation, creating competitive imbalances.

Between the lines:

The FIA's confident announcement may be a political move to force cooperation. By publicly framing the change as unanimous, the governing body puts pressure on any team or manufacturer that later resists the detailed implementation. The tensions between FIA (aligned with drivers) and FOM/teams (protective of their investments) are palpable. As one source put it: "the bigger question is how we get there, even if the numbers are fine."

What's next:

The TAC will now refine the proposals, aiming to keep hardware changes minimal. But with just four races into the 2026 cycle, the sport faces an embarrassing and hasty climbdown — one that could have been avoided had earlier warnings been heeded. Expect further regulatory tweaks as real-world data continues to expose the original formula's flaws.