FIA announce major rule U-turn after Max Verstappen threatens to quit sport

The FIA has announced a major rule U-turn after talks with F1 teams, weeks after Max Verstappen threatened to quit the sport.

The sport's governing body has reached an agreement in principle during an online meeting today to alter engine regulations ahead of the 2027 campaign.

The proposed changes would shift the current near-equal balance between combustion and electrical output by boosting the internal combustion element.

Representatives from the FIA, F1 and major stakeholders joined in discussions that examined both immediate regulatory adjustments and longer-term modifications to the sport's technical framework.

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Team bosses had previously indicated during last weekend's Miami Grand Prix that hardware alterations to the V6 hybrid units should become the priority focus for future development.

Under the proposed framework, internal combustion engine output would rise by roughly 50kW, accompanied by an increase in fuel flow rates.

Explaining the potential move, the FIA said in a statement: "Turning to the longer-term refinement of the regulations, it was agreed in principle to introduce evolutionary changes to the rules regarding hardware components, making competition safer, fairer and more intuitive for drivers and teams.

"The measures agreed in principle today for 2027 would see a nominal increase in Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) power by 50kW alongside a fuel-flow increase and a nominal reduction of the Energy Recovery System (ERS) deployment power by 50kW.

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"It was agreed that further detailed discussion in technical groups comprising teams and Power Unit Manufacturers is required before the final package is decided."

Once power unit manufacturers have cast their votes on the final agreed package, measures will go to the World Motor Sport Council to be checked over.

At Friday's meeting, F1's stakeholders agreed to immediate changes to the rules introduced in Miami to help driver experience pushing flat-out without excessive energy-saving.

The statement continued: "These measures, designed to improve safety and reduce excessive harvesting, were deemed to have delivered improved competition and represent a positive step in the continued refinement of the 2026 framework.

"The FIA also reported that no material issues or safety concerns had been identified following implementation in Miami.

"Further evaluation of the Miami package is ongoing with a view to the introduction of further adjustments at future events.

"These include improved start-safety revisions and measures to improve safety under wet conditions. These will be communicated to teams once defined."

The news follows Max Verstappen being openly critical of the new rule changes for the 2026 season, where he even threatened to quit the sport.

The Dutchman previously said: "It's not very Formula 1-like. It feels a bit more like Formula E on steroids. But the rules are the same for everyone, so you have to deal with that.

"The problem is simply that you can tweak these regulations a bit, but fundamentally something is wrong. Not everyone will admit that publicly, but it's true."

Speaking about potentially leaving the sport, Verstappen said: "Of course, you can look at it and make a lot of money. Great. But at the end of the day, it's not about money anymore because this has always been my passion... when you are in P7 or P8, and you are not enjoying the whole formula behind it, it doesn't feel natural.

"It's really anti-driving. Then at one point, yeah, it's just not what I want to do."

The decision may be welcomed by the Dutchman, who sits seventh in the driver's standings.

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