Formula 1 teams have received some welcome news ahead of the next two seasons: they will be allowed to use one additional power unit under the revised FIA regulations.
The 2027 Formula 1 technical regulations introduce several important changes, including revisions to the power unit rules. One of those updates gives teams greater operational flexibility by allowing an additional internal combustion engine and several extra components compared to what had originally been planned.
The regulatory transition period
Following the opening season of the new technical cycle, the regulations were initially set to become more restrictive from 2027 onwards. Teams would have been limited to three internal combustion engines, three turbochargers and three exhaust systems per season, while the control electronics, battery and MGU-K were also scheduled to be restricted to three units each.
The original objective was to control costs while maintaining reliability. However, the FIA has decided to extend the additional flexibility that had initially been introduced as an exceptional measure for the current season.
According to the latest version of the regulations, revealed by Motorsport.com, an appendix to the rulebook extends the extra component allowance to both the 2027 and 2028 seasons.
These two years represent an important transition period, as significant updates to Formula 1 power units will gradually reshape the balance between electrical and internal combustion power. With the new regulatory cycle still in its early stages, the FIA considered it appropriate to give manufacturers and teams greater operational freedom while the technology continues to evolve.
As a result, each team will now be permitted to use four internal combustion engines, four turbochargers and four exhaust systems during both the 2027 and 2028 campaigns. The allocation for the electrical components will remain unchanged, with three batteries, three control electronics units and three MGU-K systems available per season.
This additional engine allocation will give teams far greater flexibility when rotating components throughout the year, reducing the risks associated with reliability issues while also allowing manufacturers to introduce more aggressive power unit developments.
Benefits for strategy and reliability
The upcoming regulations are expected to place greater demands on the internal combustion engine, although the impact will be moderated by the gradual transition toward a 60/40 split between electrical and thermal power output that will be fully implemented by 2028.
For that reason, the availability of an extra power unit becomes strategically important. Teams planning ambitious development programmes will have more opportunities to introduce upgraded engines at key points during the championship without automatically facing costly grid penalties.
In modern Formula 1, where reliability has once again become one of the decisive factors—as demonstrated throughout the current season—this additional flexibility represents a significant competitive advantage. It will allow teams to manage reliability risks more effectively while optimizing performance across an increasingly demanding Formula 1 calendar.
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