Bahrain Meeting Kills V10’s F1 Return Talk

There will be no change in the 2026 Technical Regulations for the Power Units, after a brief meeting between all relevant stakeholders in F1 concluded against such a move in Bahrain.

Promoted by the FIA, the meeting was organized so that the sport’s regulator could gauge what was the general feeling among the manufacturers regarding the future of the sport.

The first and most immediate conclusion was that no one was in favour of a knee-jerk reaction that had been suggested by a few, so there will be no extension of the current F1 Technical Regulations and any discussion of cutting short the period the new rules will be in place won’t be done any time soon.

While the return to normally aspirated engines is still on the table, all stakeholders were adamant that some degree of electrification of the Power Units and use of completely sustainable fuels will be a must, everyone seemed to agree that the earliest a new engine formula could hit the track will be for the 2029 season, but the most likely scenario will be that the new rules will be in place for five years, as originally planned, with a change happening just for 2031.

The FIA issues a statement saying that, “the meeting, chaired by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the CEO of FOM Stefano Domenicali and FIA Single-Seater Director Nikolas Tombazis, was attended by representatives in person and via videoconference from Audi, Ferrari, Ford, General Motors, Honda Racing, Mercedes and Red Bull Powertrains.”

After Mohammed Ben Sulayem summarised the brief for the meeting, it was stated in very clear terms that, “the FIA has firmly committed to the 2026 Formula One regulations.”

Furthermore, the sport’s regulator explained that, “the FIA technical department, together with a number of stakeholders, has invested a lot of time in the framing of the 2026 regulations on hybrid Power Units with 100% sustainable fuel”, concluding that, “the 2026 regulations, governing Power Unit and chassis, have attracted new Power Unit manufacturers to the sport – underlining that for the 2026 cycle, the correct technical path has been chosen.”

Nevertheless, it was conceded that, “minor refinements and adjustments are still being constructively discussed with all stakeholders.”

It was then that the Fédération revealed that, “one of the topics under discussion was the adoption of normally-aspirated engines with sustainable fuel”, with the following goals: “reducing costs of research and development of F1 powertrains; building resilience against the fluctuations of the global economy; reducing the complexity of Formula 1 Power Units; and considerations on sustainability, weight reduction in relation to safety, performance, road car relevance, sound and audience appeal .”

The statement ended with, “the conclusion of today’s meeting was as follows: sll parties are committed to the 2026 regulations and look forward to the prospect of exciting racing; all parties agreed to continue discussions on the future technical direction of the sport; a level of electrification will always be part of any future considerations; the use of sustainable fuel will be an imperative; consideration will be given to adjustments on financial regulations relating to Power Units as part of broader cost reductions; and policing of those regulations will be a priority.”

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix

Fri 21.30-22.30 Practice 1

Sat 1.00-2.00 Practice 2

Sat 22.30-23.30 Practice 3

Sun 2.00-3.00 Qualifying

Mon 1.00 Formula 1 Grand Prix (57 laps)

Buy the new issue of Auto Action Premium HERE

Read the new issue of Auto Action Digital HERE

Don’t forget the print edition of Auto Action available via subscription here or you can purchase a copy of the latest issue from one of our outlets here. For more of the latest motorsport news, subscribe to AUTO ACTION magazine.