F1 Commission meeting: '2026 F1 engines will change'

The F1 commission met today to discuss, amongst other things, the 2026 regulations. Here's an update provided by the FIA.

The meeting was chaired by FOM CEO, Stefano Domenicali, and FIA Director of Single Seaters, Nikolas Tombazis. Aside from the 2026 engine regulations, all parties also discussed items regarding the 2025 season.

Monaco, Parc Fermé, freight delays, Cadillac and grass fires

The most relevant topics regarding the 2025 season were the two mandatory pitstops at Monaco, the allowance on capital expenditure - an important topic given Cadillac is set make its debut next year - and the Japanese Grand Prix grass fires.

• "Final amendments required for the implementation of the mandatory 2-stop strategy at the Monaco GP."
• "Update of the parc ferme allowances relating to the situation where a driver elects not to wear the cooling vest."
• "Addition of a regulatory mechanism to manage the situation of freight delays on fly-away events, as was experienced by a number of teams at the recent Chinese GP."

"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 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 FIA update read.

2026 engine will change: 'FOM and FIA address Manufacturers' performance and reliability woes'

The most notable topic on the docket was of course the 2026 engine regulations. Red Bull Racing's team principal, Christian Horner, and his Mercedes counterpart, Toto Wolff, were at odds on their outlook of the engine rules. Whilst Horner conveyed that the FIA had 'done their homework', Wolff reacted to the topic being up for discussion as 'a joke'. Even McLaren's team principal Andrea Stella had his say in the matter, and urged all stakeholders to keep an open mind.

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Stella and Mercedes at odds on 2026 engines? 'If changes improve the racing...'

The FIA's update on the 2026 engines' regulations' progression read as follows:

"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 updated the F1 Commission members about the constructive meeting held recently in Bahrain between the FIA, FOM and the Power Unit Manufacturers."

So there's still ways to go before the 2026 engine regulations are indeed finalised.

What may change regarding the 2026 engines?

From the moment the V10 engines reintroduction rumours began, GPblog learned that an early scrap of the 2026 regulations was not really an option. However, concerns from Honda, Ferrari, Audi and Red Bull Powertrains-Ford regarding performance reportedly arose, with Mercedes being the only Power Unit manufacturer to have their affairs in order for next year's season.

It is understood that a change of hardware is ruled out, and that the governing body, along with FOM and the manufacturers are only looking at the power output ratio between the ICE and the MGU-K. Regulating the battery output during the races is also on the table, but it's less likely. Red Bull racing CEO and team principal, Horner, even said that a push to pass - system similar to the one available for Indycar - was also mentioned.