FIA draws the line: F1 ‘cannot be hostage’ to engine manufacturers

Formula 1’s future is being shaped in meeting rooms as much as on racetracks – and the FIA is making it clear who will ultimately hold the reins.

The governing body’s single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis has delivered a firm message: the sport’s engine regulations will not be dictated by the shifting priorities of global car manufacturers.

At a time when the next generation of power unit rules is already under discussion – despite the 2026 regulations barely getting underway – Tombazis’ stance signals a decisive shift in governance philosophy. The FIA, he insists, is prepared to welcome manufacturers, but not depend on them.

A changing landscape, a shifting vision

The 2026 power unit regulations were born in a very different climate. Back then, electrification dominated the automotive narrative, pushing Formula 1 toward a 50/50 balance between internal combustion and electric power.

But reality has not followed prediction.

“Well first of all, it is true, the political landscape has changed,” Tombazis said on Monday.

“And back when we discussed the current regulations, the automotive companies, who were very involved, told us that they're never going to make another internal combustion engine again – a new one.

“They were going to phase out, and by whatever year, they were going to be fully electrical, for example. Obviously, this hasn't happened. That's not to underestimate the importance of electrification globally, but it didn't happen as much, as I said.”

That mismatch between expectation and reality has forced a reassessment – not just of technology, but of influence.

"Secondly, I think one of the not frequently discussed stories, because it's not something visible, is that, of course, we did go for fully sustainable fuels, and I think, a reasonably good outcome,” he added.

‘We cannot be hostage’

The heart of Tombazis’ argument is blunt and unambiguous: Formula 1 must protect itself from external volatility.

"So in terms of where we want to be in the future, we do need to protect the sport from the world macro-economic situation,” he said. “Meaning we cannot be hostage to automotive companies deciding to be part of our sport or not.

“We want them to be part of our sport, absolutely. That's why we've worked so hard to secure new ones to participate.

“But we can also not be in a position where, if they decide they don't want to be, we're suddenly left vulnerable. And we need to keep working for cost reduction.”

It’s a pointed acknowledgment of a long-standing tension in Formula 1: manufacturers bring prestige, innovation, and funding – but they also come and go, often driven by boardroom priorities far removed from motorsport.

The clock is already ticking on 2031

Even as the 2026 era approaches, conversations about what comes next are accelerating. That may seem premature, but Tombazis insists it’s simply the reality of Formula 1’s development timelines.

“If we are to change anything for the next cycle, we need to start discussing it very soon,” he said. “Because the time it takes to make a power unit and an engine and all that is quite long.

“So yes, it may sound a bit strange to be discussing these matters only a few races after we've started, but that is the natural cycle of the discussion when it needs to take place.”

Among the ideas gaining traction is a return to simpler, louder engines – potentially V8s powered by sustainable fuels – marking a philosophical pivot away from heavy electrification.

For some, the prospect of louder engines raises concerns about how newer fans might react. Tombazis, however, sees opportunity rather than risk.

"No, to be honest,” he explained. “It's always easy, if possible, to reduce noise if you have too much. The opposite is more of a tricky one, to increase if you have too little.

“So I think that when we have previous cars running occasionally in grand prix on Sunday morning, early or whatever they do, provoke a certain level of feeling amongst a lot of people, and I don't think that will be a problem.”

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Tombazis’ comments underline a broader recalibration within Formula 1. The sport is no longer willing to tie its technical future too closely to the fluctuating strategies of the automotive world.

Manufacturers remain vital – but they are no longer in control.

The FIA’s message is clear: Formula 1 will evolve on its own terms, not at the mercy of those who may one day walk away.

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