It is the second time in six months that the president of motorsport’s governing body has been defeated in an attempt to change F1’s engine regulations.His V10 plan was rejected at a meeting at the Bahrain Grand Prix, where it was agreed that hybrid and sustainable fuels were non-negotiable parts of F1’s engine future. After that meeting, the FIA said it was “firmly committed to the 2026 regulations” but it was agreed that manufacturers would continue discussing the future direction of F1’s engine rules.An FIA statement at the time said it had been agreed at the meeting that “electrification will always be a part of any future considerations” and that “the use of sustainable fuel will be an imperative”.The 2026 rules stick with the current 1.6-litre V6 turbo hybrid architecture. But the hybrid element, although simplified, will increase to about 50% of the total power output of the engine from about 20% now. The rules also introduce fully sustainable fuels.Despite the outcome of the Bahrain meeting, Ben Sulayem continued to push for naturally aspirated engines, with minimal hybrid capacity.He had some support for a plan to change to a 2.4-litre V8 with a reduced percentage of hybrid power, but he did not have enough backing to change the rules for 2029, so chose to abandon the plan.The FIA has been approached for comment but has so far not responded.One source told BBC Sport Ben Sulayem was going “too fast, too soon to get everyone on side”.Ford chief executive officer Jim Farley told BBC Sport in an exclusive interview: “Ford is very committed to partial electrification for performance.”Honda, Mercedes and Audi made it clear at the time of the Bahrain meeting that they were fully committed to hybrid power.Sources have said Ben Sulayem now intends to leave any attempt to change the rules until 2031.F1’s governance agreements only run until 2030, so in theory the FIA can impose any rules it wants for 2031.However, unilaterally imposing naturally aspirated engines would risk a number of the manufacturers pulling out of F1, given their commitment to hybrid engines.
Source link
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem abandons attempt to change F1’s engine rules for 2029
