Max Verstappen (Image: Getty)
Max Verstappen’s wish has been granted after the FIA World Motor Sport Council officially approved rule changes to the F1 2027 power units regulations. It has been confirmed that there will be a move towards more internal combustion power, with a 58-42 split in 2027 followed by a 60-40 split in 2028, in favour of the ICE.
And news of the rule changes being confirmed will be welcomed by Verstappen, who revealed at the end of March that he was considering walking away from F1 at the end of this season due to frustrations about the new 2026 power units rules which forced the drivers to drive in an unnatural way to optimise lap time.
The 2026 season started with teams and drivers using all-new engines powered by fully sustainable fuels. However, it wasn’t long before concerns were raised about a rough 50-50 split between internal combustion and electrical power.
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Talks then took place between all parties across F1 and it was agreed that a move towards a 60-40 split in the coming seasons, to reduce the need to save battery and regenerate energy over the course of a lap.
And those changes were officially ratified by the WMSC as they held their mid-2026 meeting during the FIA Conference in Macau, putting them into the FIA Technical Regulations from 2027 onwards.
“The FIA continues to oversee the evolution of the 2026 regulations and work closely with all key stakeholders across the motorsport community,” said FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem of the latest discussions.
“As with every major regulatory change, the process does not end when the cars first take to the track. Continuous dialogue and collaboration are essential to ensuring that the regulations meet the needs of the sport, its drivers, and its fans.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem chats to Max Verstappen (Image: Getty)
“Together we are exploring the future direction of the championship and considering how the sport can balance innovation, sustainability, performance and fan appeal in the years ahead.
“The discussions around future power unit concepts, including V8 engines powered by sustainable fuels, demonstrate the willingness of all parties to engage in shaping the next chapter of the sport.”
Dutchman Verstappen has been the most outspoken critic of the current engine rules, but when asked if he would remain in F1 next year if changes were made, the Red Bull driver replied: “Yeah, definitely. I just want a good product in Formula 1, and that will for sure improve the product.
“What I said before with the changes, hopefully that will happen next year, that will already help a lot.
“I’ve always said it doesn’t matter if I had a good car or not, it’s just a product, and I think the product will improve like that, so naturally I think then the enjoyment will go up as well.”