F1 2027: What is the power-unit controversy that could dictate Max Verstappen’s future in Formula 1 | F1 News

At the weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix, Max Verstappen renewed his threat to quit Formula 1 at the end of the season unless the sport’s power-unit regulations change, but could there be more to the story than just the Red Bull driver’s frustration?

Verstappen first revealed he was considering his future after the third round of the season in Japan at the end of March, as he was unhappy with the unusual style and racing caused by the new driving rules.

However, he was more positive about staying in F1 after an announcement from the FIA ​​that an agreement had been reached in principle with the teams ahead of the Miami Grand Prix and a power-unit changeover in 2027.

So if a deal is in place, why is Verstappen rethinking his F1 future?

What are the changes for 2027 and why?

Changes have already been made to the operation of the power units this season, including energy harvesting and deployment limits, to create more flat-out driving and high-angle reaches after Haas’ Oliver Biermann’s big crash at Suzuka when he was caught by the speed difference between himself and Alpine’s Franco Colapinto for safety reasons.

The drivers all agreed it was a step in the right direction but some, including Verstappen, felt more needed to be done.

“I mean the whole energy management thing is just a joke. It’s very painful at the moment,” Verstappen said in Montreal.

“You try to push more. Then you have less power, it’s clipping more, and then you have to use a different gear, so you go slower in the corner but faster on the next straight. It has nothing to do with racing for me. It’s really, really frustrating.”

Current power units are split almost evenly between internal combustion and electric power – 50 percent electric makes F1 more relevant and was partly a reason Audi joined the game and Honda returned as a full engine manufacturer.

For 2027, F1, the FIA ​​and the teams agreed in principle to increase the proportion of total power coming from internal combustion engines and reduce electric power, creating a 60-40 split.

This will effectively mean that drivers can flat out qualify without needing to lift and coast at all, with little to no harvesting – recharging the batteries at the end of the straight.

Engine manufacturers are not on the same page

For the changes to take place, four of the six manufacturers on the Power Unit Advisory Committee must support the proposal. While there seemed to be consensus earlier this month, that has quickly changed.

Only Mercedes and Red Bull are in favor of a change for 2027, while Audi, Ferrari and Cadillac are against. Cadillac will develop their own F1 engine later this decade but is still in committee.

Honda has yet to take a position, but, for now, even if Honda decides to stay for the changes, it will need another engine manufacturer on its side to get the changes.

Red Bull team principal Laurent Mackis said: “I’m hopeful we’ll find the right solution. I’m hopeful we can get most people to agree on improving the regulations.

“When it comes to things that are important to the sport, I think we’re going to put some level of what we think we may or may not be doing in terms of our relative competitiveness to take a step in the right direction for the sport. Eventually, we’ll get to that point.”

Among F1’s top teams, Ferrari have the worst power unit but are set to gain through the Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunity (ADUO) catch-up process as they are at least two percent short of the benchmark power unit – which is either Mercedes or Red Bull depending on who you talk to in the paddock.

If the power-unit regulations are changed, everyone will be allowed to develop their power units to prepare for the new 2027 rules. Ferrari doesn’t want that and thinks they can close their gap with Mercedes with ADUO, knowing they are already very competitive in the corners.

Another complication is that some teams want to carry over their current chassis to next year, and this could be affected if power-unit regulations change. This will create additional costs which is Audi’s main sticking point.

Realistically, any changes for 2027 would need to be confirmed by the end of June to give teams at least six months to adapt to the new rules. Should it run, the FIA ​​could look at pushing back its proposal to 2028, but will it be too late for Verstappen?

Will Verstappen really walk away from F1?

On the one hand, you might think Verstappen’s threat to quit is part of the politics to bring about change for 2027 – which is what his Red Bull team wants. However, he has generally lived up to his straight-talking, no-nonsense persona even when speaking to the media, and seems to be being genuine with his comments.

Don’t forget, he warned of the possibility of cars slowing down and yo-yo-style racing on the straights as early as 2023 – a year he completely dominated with a record-breaking 19 wins.

Verstappen claimed his first podium of the season on Sunday, despite falling from second after a fierce battle with Lewis Hamilton.

The Red Bull driver admitted he enjoyed the fight “a lot” but it still wasn’t completely normal, which is his main concern about the current regulations.

“I know how pure other motorsport can seem so when you come back to it it’s not very pretty,” he said. Sky Sports F1Seemingly referring to his exploits in other race cars.

“I don’t want to be too negative after a race like this but I know what it’s like to do a natural race, a pure overtake.

“All of this, especially in qualifying, is anti-driving and anti-racing and it shouldn’t be about F1. I really hope we get 60-40 next year because that will help.”

Verstappen was asked in Canada if he would consider taking a sabbatical in 2027 and returning to F1 in 2028, but that doesn’t appear to be on the cards as he replied: “No. There’s a lot more fun stuff.”

In that case, Verstappen’s F1 future is in the hands of other engine manufacturers…

Next up is Formula 1’s European summer swing, with the Monaco Grand Prix the first of six races in eight weeks. Watch live on Sky Sports F1 from 5-7 June. Stream Sky Sports now – no contract, cancel anytime