F1 is rushing to sort out the Canadian GP date as a big rule change is now uncertain.
With the Canadian Grand Prix coming up this weekend, the plans for the new F1 rules in 2027 have hit a bump. Several car makers are not happy with the changes suggested after the Miami race.
When the DRS era ended, Formula 1 switched to a new engine and battery hybrid system with a big boost in electric power. But these new rules haven’t worked out as well as the FIA hoped, especially when it comes to overtaking. Many races have turned into long cat-and-mouse games, often decided by which car’s battery runs out first.
Some people say these rules take the real racing spirit away and make the results depend too much on which team has the best car. So, everyone agreed that changes were needed — at least in theory.
One big change on the table is shifting the power split between the engine and battery from 50/50 to 60/40 in favor of the engine. But now, some manufacturers want to keep the 2026 setup. Top drivers like Max Verstappen, who called it “playing Mario Kart,” and others including Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc, have been very vocal about fixing the engine rules.
The FIA has already made some updates after hearing the complaints and got key people together in Miami to work on the rules. It became clear more fixes are needed, especially for safety reasons.
Verstappen says even 60/40 isn’t enough, and an 80/20 split would help a lot. But some manufacturers disagree and are ready for tough talks at the Canadian GP to keep things as they are. According to The Race, teams would have to spend about $10 million to change engines again, which is causing concern.
Newcomer Audi doesn’t want to switch engines again since they’ve already invested heavily in their current car and are still learning the ropes. Ferrari also worries that relying more on combustion engines would hurt their chance to catch up with Mercedes, thanks to a system called AUDO that helps teams improve their cars during the season.
Reports say only Red Bull and Mercedes are fully on board with changing the rules right away, even if it might make things harder for Red Bull at the top.
Looking ahead, there are big engine changes planned for the future. FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem confirmed that by 2031, F1 will switch back to V8 engines.