A Wrong Formula. And the FIA “rushes” to fix the 2031 engines
“We cannot be hostage to the car manufacturers. We need to start discussing changes very soon, because the development times of a power unit and everything else are quite long“. With these words, FIA single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis explained the Federation’s stance on the changes to be made for the new technical cycle, which will likely see a step back on a 50-50 internal combustion-electric ratio that has caused a thousand controversies.
Monchaux’s words
The Greek engineer did not commit to the timing of this new revolution. FIA technical director Jan Monchaux also did not want to do so, but he considers it essential to put “black on white” by this summer: “We had some talks with engine manufacturers last year, in which we already tested the waters“, these were his words to Auto Motor und Sport. “I think we need to finalize everything in the next two or three months, I hope it won’t take much longer. Something concrete must be put black on white by the end of the year at the latest“.
“We are trying to find common ground, so that manufacturers can also see themselves represented in any substantial change we make“, he continued. “The weaknesses of the current formula are well known. We will try to correct the course to reduce the most serious problems. Given the financial situation of the manufacturers, cost reduction is an absolute priority“.
The first date to consider is 2031, but there have been suggestions from various quarters of an early introduction of the new regulations. According to Auto Motor und Sport, this discussion was already opened last year with the hypothesis of new regulations even in 2029 – evidently with the approach of the 2026 technical cycle there was growing awareness of how problematic the latter would be – but it met resistance from Audi and Honda, who did not want to develop another engine after only three years, burning investments in the current power units. 2031 therefore remains the most likely date: for the Germans, it would move towards a turbo V8 with standard MGU-K, with still sustainable fuel and much less electric compared to the current generation.
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