F1 Planning An Overhaul Of Controversial 2026 Hybrid-Era Rules In 2027 - Report

Last Updated:April 25, 2026, 15:51 IST

F1 may scrap 2026 hybrid rules, with FIA talks on shifting from a 50-50 ICE electric split to about 75-25 by 2027, after safety concerns and driver backlash.

Are F1’s shiny new rules already on the chopping block? Well, it’s starting to look that way, apparently.

The much-hyped hybrid era — built around a near 50/50 power split between the internal combustion engine (ICE) and electric battery — continues to face intense backlash.

And now, early talks are reportedly underway to potentially scrap or significantly tweak that balance as soon as 2027.

The 50/50 Problem

Under the 2026 regulations, F1 cars rely almost equally on combustion and electric power. But, despite the futuristic innovation, drivers have been far from impressed with the output.

The new setup has forced excessive “lift-and-coast" driving, essentially backing off the throttle to conserve battery, which has made racing feel more like energy management than flat-out competition.

Worse still, it’s created inconsistent racing conditions. Cars with more battery charge can suddenly surge ahead, while others drop pace dramatically: a mismatch that’s raised both competitive and safety concerns.

A recent crash involving Oliver Bearman at the Japanese Grand Prix has only intensified scrutiny around these unpredictable speed differences.

Tweaks Coming, But Not Enough?

The FIA has already responded, announcing a handful of adjustments set to roll out at the Miami Grand Prix.

But according to The Race, those fixes address only about 20% of the core issue.

But the FIA might just bring about a whole lot more change very soon.

A Radical Shift on the Table

According to The Race, discussions are heating up about a dramatic overhaul of the power balance.

The proposal? Move away from the near 50/50 split (roughly 400kW ICE / 350kW electric) to something closer to a 75/25 model — potentially 650kW from the ICE and just 200kW from the battery.

That would ideally bring F1 closer to its traditional, high-power identity while still keeping the hybrid element in play.

There’s also talk of maintaining a slightly higher electric deployment during races (around 350kW) to preserve overtaking opportunities, one area where the current regulations haven’t completely failed.

Why Not Fix It Now?

Simple: time.

Teams and manufacturers have already spent years developing engines around the current rules. A sudden change now would be chaos, both technically and financially.

That’s why 2027 or even 2028 is being eyed as the realistic window for any major shift.

What Happens Next?

If F1 is serious about ditching the 50/50 era, a decision needs to come fast, within weeks, so manufacturers can begin redesigning their power units.

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