Overview
- McLaren CEO Zak Brown said Thursday that the team would examine producing its own power unit only if a forthcoming engine formula is financially practical and attractive compared with staying with Mercedes.
- The FIA is drafting a next-generation package that most likely uses a turbocharged V8 plus a modest hybrid unit of about 120 kW and has signalled it may bring the change forward to 2030 from 2031.
- Manufacturers remain split over nearer-term 2027 changes, with reports saying Ferrari and Audi oppose proposed increases in fuel flow and ADUO upgrade rules that would alter development rights.
- Technical experts warn a 12–15% rise in fuel flow or higher turbo boost would require new turbochargers, revised internals and long validation runs, a timetable and production burden that could strain firms such as Audi.
- Teams without full manufacturing lines could follow Red Bull’s path of partnering with an external carmaker for money and parts, a route that would reshape costs, supply roles and the balance of voting power on rule changes.