The FIA has confirmed that the rules regarding engine penalties will remain relaxed after 2026, to avoid excessive pressure on manufacturers during the upcoming technical developments.
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Formula 1 drivers will benefit from additional leeway regarding the use of engine components in the coming seasons. The FIA has confirmed that the rules introduced to accompany the 2026 technical revolution will remain in effect in 2027 and 2028, contrary to what was initially planned.
This decision aims notably to limit the risk of grid penalties while engine manufacturers continue the development of their new power units.
Engine allocation revised with the 2026 regulations
The arrival of the new engine regulations in 2026 has led to several adjustments in the sporting regulations of Formula 1. Faced with the complexity of the new power units, the FIA added a specific article allowing drivers to have an additional copy of each engine component without penalty.
Article B8.2.3 of the sporting regulations thus provides for a temporary increase in the allocations available for each driver.
This measure concerns several essential elements of the power unit:
- the internal combustion engine (ICE);
- the turbocharger;
- the MGU-K;
- the battery (Energy Store);
- the control electronics (PU-CE);
- the auxiliary components of the power unit (PU-ANC).
Initially, drivers were to have three internal combustion engines and three turbochargers per season. They also had two copies for the other major components, while five auxiliary units were allowed.
With the relaxation decided for 2026, these limits were increased.
Drivers can now use four internal combustion engines, four turbochargers, three copies for the MGU-K, batteries, and electronic systems, as well as six auxiliary components. The limit concerning exhaust systems remains set at four copies.
An extension planned until 2028
Originally, this increase in the number of available components was to be temporary. The regulations provided for a return to the previous limits as of 2027.
However, the FIA confirmed to RacingNews365 that this provision will ultimately remain in place for the 2027 and 2028 seasons.
This decision comes as engines will continue to evolve after their introduction in 2026. Formula 1 plans notably to gradually reduce the share of electrical energy to move towards a balance more favorable to the internal combustion engine.
The ratio between power from the internal combustion engine and electric power will thus shift from a near 50/50 split in 2026 to about 60/40 in favor of the internal combustion engine.
Reliability, a major concern for manufacturers
According to several sources, the decision to maintain this additional allocation is also linked to the development schedule of future engines.
Regulatory adjustments having been decided late in the year, in May, manufacturers would have had a shorter development window than expected to prepare the 2027 evolutions.
This situation would have increased the risk of reliability issues on track, with significant pressure on engine manufacturers if the FIA had decided to immediately revert to the previous restrictions.
A return to stricter limits could therefore have led to more component changes and, consequently, more penalties for drivers.
Penalties remain severe in case of exceeding limits
Despite these adjustments, the penalty rules remain unchanged when a driver exceeds their allowed quota.
Each new component used beyond the allocation results in a ten-place grid penalty.
If a driver exceeds this limit again with another additional element, an additional five-place penalty is applied.
With this decision, the FIA therefore aims to offer more flexibility to teams while supporting a major technological transition period for Formula 1. The 2027 and 2028 seasons will thus remain focused on adapting to the new engines.