FIA warns F1 'cannot not be hostage' to engine manufacturers

FIA Single Seaters Director Nikolas Tombazis has opened the door to possible changes in Formula 1’s future engine plans, saying the sport cannot rely too heavily on manufacturers.

The 2026 power unit regulations were designed to begin a new era for F1. They were created to make the championship more attractive to major car companies and to reflect the growing push towards electrification. Those rules helped bring Audi into the sport, while General Motors plans to join through Cadillac. Honda also decided to return, while Ford came back as a partner of Red Bull Powertrains.

However, Tombazis admitted the situation has changed since those rules were agreed. “First of all, it is true, the political landscape has changed,” Tombazis said, queoted by RacingNews365.

He explained that manufacturers were previously convinced electric cars would completely replace petrol engines. “Back when we discussed the current regulations, the automotive companies, who were very involved, told us that they're never going to make another internal combustion engine again, a new one,” he said.

Tombazis added that those predictions did not come true as quickly as expected. “They were going to phase out, and by whatever year, they were going to be fully electrical; obviously, this hasn't happened,” he said.

Even so, he stressed that electrification still matters, while also highlighting the importance of sustainable fuels in Formula 1. “Secondly, I think one of the not frequently discussed stories, because it's not something visible, is that, of course, we did go for fully sustainable fuels, and I think, a reasonably good outcome,” he explained.

Tombazis also said Formula 1 must protect itself from depending too much on outside companies. “We do need to protect the sport from the world macro-economic situation, meaning we cannot be hostage to automotive companies deciding to be part of our sport or not,” he said.

While he welcomed the involvement of manufacturers, he made clear the championship must remain secure even if they leave in the future. “We want them to be part of our sport, absolutely,” Tombazis added.

Discussions over the next set of engine rules, expected for 2031, have already started. Tombazis said decisions need to be made early because building a new power unit takes years of work. “If we are to change anything for the next cycle, we need to start discussing it very soon, because the time it takes to make a power unit, an engine and all that is quite long,” he said.