Carlos Sainz has called on Formula 1’s governing bodies to maintain their resolve regarding proposed 2027 power unit regulations, as manufacturers reportedly remain divided over implementing significant changes to the sport’s hybrid engine formula. The Ferrari driver and Grand Prix Drivers’ Association director expressed concerns that political maneuvering could derail what he considers vital improvements for the championship’s future.
The proposed regulations would shift F1’s power output ratio to 60:40 between internal combustion engines and electric systems, moving away from the current 50:50 split that has defined the hybrid era since 2014. According to reports, a crucial meeting scheduled during the Canadian Grand Prix weekend will determine whether this change proceeds as planned for 2027 or faces postponement until 2028, with power unit manufacturers split on the timeline.
“From what I hear, there is a very interesting proposal for 2027, a proposal that goes exactly in line with where I think the sport should go,” Sainz explained to media. He acknowledged that manufacturer politics and competing interests could influence the decision-making process, emphasizing the need for F1’s leadership to prioritize the sport’s best interests over individual agendas.
The Spanish driver stressed that drivers would unanimously support the proposed direction, viewing electric power as an enhancement rather than a dependency. “For us as drivers, it will never be enough, what we all love, if there is electrical, it that it should be an add-on rather than a dependency on electrical power,” Sainz stated, referencing previous power unit regulations where electric assistance felt more supplementary to the combustion engine.
While acknowledging that even the 60:40 split may not fully satisfy racing purists who prefer traditional engines, Sainz described it as a compromise that would improve racing quality until more significant changes arrive in 2030. His comments highlight growing pressure from drivers and fans for F1 to reduce its reliance on electric power and return to more conventional racing dynamics that characterized earlier eras of the sport.