The FIA is reportedly holding another urgent meeting during the upcoming race weekend in Montréal. The governing body announced a package of rule changes for 2027 at the beginning of May, but according to The Race, it is still very much in question whether these will actually come into effect next season. The engine manufacturers are still internally divided on when the regulatory changes should be implemented.
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At the beginning of May, the FIA announced changes to the engine regulations starting from 2027. For example, from next season the current fifty-fifty split between the combustion engine and electric drive would be abandoned. Instead, the combustion engine would again account for around sixty percent of the power. The FIA would thus partly respond to calls from various drivers to address the complex energy management.
However, the FIA needs the support of engine manufacturers for the precise timing of these regulatory changes. It is still uncertain whether the governing body will receive this support, as not all engine manufacturers agree with the plans to have the rule changes take effect from 2027. The FIA needs the support of four out of six engine manufacturers to implement the changes. At this moment, according to The Race, only Mercedes and Red Bull support the plan to adjust the engine rules starting from 2027.
Concerns from Audi and Ferrari
Audi is reportedly concerned about the costs associated with such rapid changes to the engine regulations. Multiple sources report that the proposed rule changes for 2027 will cost manufacturers about 10 million dollars extra.
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Meanwhile, Ferrari is said to be worried about what the changes mean for this year’s ADUO rule – Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities. Under this rule, teams that lag behind the most dominant engine on the grid, in this case Mercedes, get extra chances to bring upgrades. If the 2027 rules go ahead, the ADUO rule for this season could be scrapped. Otherwise, teams benefiting from the rule would gain too much of an advantage in mastering the new designs.
However, Ferrari is counting on the ADUO to close the gap with Mercedes this season. “I think they (Mercedes, ed.) currently have a very big advantage – and as for the ADUO, of course I don’t yet know if we are included,” Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc told the media in Canada. “I would be surprised if that were not the case, because sometimes on the straight I notice that we fall a bit short compared to the Mercedes or even the Ford engine. I think (the granting of the ADUO to Ferrari, ed.) will definitely help to get closer – whether it will be enough to close the gap, I don’t know.”
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