FIA and Liberty Media push for 2027 F1 engine deal at Spanish Grand Prix

The FIA and Liberty Media have set the Spanish Grand Prix weekend of 12-14 June as a target deadline for finalising revised 2027 Formula 1 power unit regulations, with negotiations complicated by a late change of position from Ferrari and Audi.

The governing body had been seeking to move away from the near-50:50 split between electric and combustion power that defines the current engine formula. At a meeting held ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix, all manufacturers appeared to align on the need for intervention — but within days, Ferrari and Audi had reversed course, citing concerns over cost, reliability, and the internal workload involved in significant power unit modifications.

The FIA’s original proposal called for a 14% increase in fuel flow, which would raise internal combustion output by 50 kW to 450 kW while reducing the electric component from the MGU-K by 50 kW to 300 kW. According to the FIA, this adjustment would address issues including superclipping and excessive battery management during qualifying laps. Ferrari and Audi’s objection centred on fears of losing protections guaranteed under the ADUO framework, and on the scale of engineering changes required at an advanced stage of development.

A compromise solution has since emerged that could achieve the target 60/40 combustion-to-electric ratio without demanding wholesale redesigns. By combining a more modest 5% fuel flow increase with a reduction in aerodynamic downforce on the 2027 cars, engineers believe it may be possible to significantly reduce the lift-and-coast phenomenon — where drivers must manage energy recovery by lifting off the throttle — without altering the fundamental architecture of power units already deep in development.

The Formula 1 Commission has already approved a downforce reduction for the 2027 single-seaters, with a cut of between 40 and 50 aerodynamic points under discussion. The intent is to lower drag and cornering speeds, creating more favourable conditions for energy recovery and reducing the reliance on heavy battery management strategies.

With the Spanish Grand Prix now serving as the focal point for reaching agreement, the window for a resolution is narrow. The FIA and Liberty Media are applying pressure on all manufacturers to find a compromise that satisfies both the sporting objectives of the new regulations and the commercial and technical realities facing each constructor.