Hunting for the supermajority
As reported two days ago, the FIA would have now abandoned the idea of having unanimity to introduce those changes that would already bring in 2027 the ratio between internal combustion engine and electric to 60:40.
To have the supermajority in the engine manufacturers’ committee – PUAC – 4 of the 6 votes are therefore needed among Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull, Audi, Cadillac, and Honda.
Read more BONTU, complete range for the European market
The alignments at the table
Laurent Mekies of Red Bull has supported the changes and is for yes: “We all love the competitive part of F1. I believe the goal of the changes for 2027 is to ensure that drivers can give their best in qualifying and in the race, keeping the number of overtakes unchanged. I am optimistic that we will find a favorable majority and we will all take a step in the right direction for the sport.”
Also Toto Wolff of Mercedes is aligned for yes: “The changes introduced so far have been positive, they are helping to distribute energy in the right way. Future ones imply a compromise from each engine manufacturer and are a sensible approach.”
Among the undecided is Honda, with Shintaro Orihara (HRC trackside general manager) implying between the lines not wanting to hinder the Federation’s plans: “We respect the FIA’s decision, so we will wait and see“. And in Honda’s case, one can imagine that the recent introduction of an extra ADUO band to help the Japanese manufacturer’s recovery will not raise barricades against the Federation…
Known instead is the positioning on the ‘no’ side of Audi and Ferrari. It is no secret that Mattia Binotto wants to maintain the current 54:46 power units also for 2027 and postpone them to 2028 mainly for economic reasons.
Frederic Vasseur instead contests the ‘liberalization’ of intervention on the engine that would be guaranteed to the reference engine manufacturers – currently Mercedes and probably Red Bull – for 2027, a possibility they would not have with the current ADUO mechanism.
Read more Seat and Cupra, different paths even with electric
Will Cadillac be the swing vote? The Americans are at the PUAC table – the engine manufacturers’ advisory committee – because in the future they are interested in producing their own power unit. It was thought that – by using Ferrari engines – they could side with Maranello in this political dispute.
Journalist Adam Cooper on the pages of RoadAndTrack however painted a different picture: “A source told us on Tuesday that there are now enough votes to pass the changes: with Honda and Cadillac in favor, although they have not yet taken a public position. This leaves Ferrari and Audi as the only ones not to have expressed themselves.”
Ferrari and Audi therefore defeated?
Adam Cooper explained that the will of the FIA and Liberty Media is not to reach a clash. Although the support of Ferrari and Audi is not essential, work continues behind the scenes to address the concerns of the two manufacturers, in order to form as united a front as possible. In short, a sort of compromise – from the minority – to save appearances and show everyone in agreement.
Click here to add Formula Passion as a preferred source on Google Discover: you will find our content more easily!
Read more GP Italy 2026, what will the weather be like? High chance of rain on Friday
