Over the past few days, several media outlets have reported on Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s vision for the future of Formula 1. Among the FIA president’s proposals is a significant shift away from the current turbo-hybrid era, a reduced emphasis on electrification, and a new approach to the concept of customer teams.
One of the Emirati president’s most talked-about ideas is the creation of an FIA-developed power unit that any new team entering Formula 1 could use without relying on an existing manufacturer.
The objective behind the proposal is both clear and understandable. By offering an FIA-built engine, the governing body hopes to reduce the influence of major manufacturers like Mercedes, which currently supplies power units to three customer teams and can therefore hold considerable political weight in discussions with the FIA whenever major regulatory issues arise.
An ambitious but unrealistic proposal?
Despite its good intentions, the concept also has several weaknesses, as former Formula 1 technical director Gary Anderson recently pointed out in an insightful article for The Race.
The introduction of Formula 1’s cost cap has helped narrow the technological gap between the leading teams and those further down the grid. However, a standard FIA-developed power unit would be unlikely to contribute to that same objective.
Every Formula 1 team continuously pushes the regulations to their limits in search of competitive advantages. Engineers regularly interpret the rules in innovative ways, finding solutions that maximize performance while remaining within the boundaries of the regulations.
This is already evident in the development of the 2026 cars, many of which differ significantly from the original concept presented by the FIA. Teams have introduced creative interpretations that, while technically legal, often stretch the intended spirit of the regulations. The FIA itself could never pursue similar approaches, as it would be expected to follow its own rulebook to the letter.
Smaller teams could be left even further behind
It is reasonable to assume that the same differences in engineering philosophy would also apply to the development of a future Formula 1 power unit, regardless of the architecture or technology eventually adopted.
An FIA-supplied engine would inevitably evolve at a slower pace than manufacturer-developed power units, which benefit from the vast engineering resources and innovative capabilities of Formula 1’s major automotive companies.
Rather than helping smaller teams become more competitive, such a solution could actually place them at a significant disadvantage. Teams relying on a standard FIA power unit would likely struggle to match rivals using continuously developed manufacturer engines, making it even more difficult to score the points that are often crucial for their financial survival and long-term future in Formula 1.
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