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There was no major opposition to the idea of switching to 2.4-litre V8s, but there was disagreement about the proportion of power output to be provided by the hybrid part of the engine, whether there should be a turbocharger or not, and the timing.<\/p>\n
It is the second time in six months that the president of motorsport’s governing body has been defeated in an attempt to change F1’s engine regulations.<\/p>\n
His V10 plan was rejected at a meeting at the Bahrain Grand Prix, where it was agreed that hybrid and sustainable fuels were non-negotiable parts of F1’s engine future. <\/p>\n
After that meeting, the FIA said it was “firmly committed to the 2026 regulations” but it was agreed that manufacturers would continue discussing the future direction of F1’s engine rules.<\/p>\n
An FIA statement at the time said it had been agreed at the meeting that “electrification will always be a part of any future considerations” and that “the use of sustainable fuel will be an imperative”.<\/p>\n
The 2026 rules stick with the current 1.6-litre V6 turbo hybrid architecture. But the hybrid element, although simplified, will increase to about 50% of the total power output of the engine from about 20% now. The rules also introduce fully sustainable fuels.<\/p>\n
Despite the outcome of the Bahrain meeting, Ben Sulayem continued to push for naturally aspirated engines, with minimal hybrid capacity.<\/p>\n
He had some support for a plan to change to a 2.4-litre V8 with a reduced percentage of hybrid power, but he did not have enough backing to change the rules for 2029, so chose to abandon the plan.<\/p>\n
The FIA has been approached for comment but has so far not responded.<\/p>\n
One source told BBC Sport Ben Sulayem was going “too fast, too soon to get everyone on side”.<\/p>\n
Ford chief executive officer Jim Farley told BBC Sport in an exclusive interview: “Ford is very committed to partial electrification for performance.”<\/p>\n
Honda, Mercedes and Audi made it clear at the time of the Bahrain meeting that they were fully committed to hybrid power.<\/p>\n
Sources have said Ben Sulayem now intends to leave any attempt to change the rules until 2031.<\/p>\n
F1’s governance agreements only run until 2030, so in theory the FIA can impose any rules it wants for 2031.<\/p>\n
However, unilaterally imposing naturally aspirated engines would risk a number of the manufacturers pulling out of F1, given their commitment to hybrid engines.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n