Audi has offered the clearest indication yet that it is against Formula 1 abandoning its turbo hybrid engine rules, amid talks over a future switch to V10s.
The FIA is in discussions with engine manufacturers about a change of plan for F1 that would involve quickly moving away from the new generation power unit regulations coming in for 2026 and to an alternative concept such as a V10 run on fully sustainable fuels from 2028 or 2029.
Talks on that matter have also opened up a separate debate about whether it is even worth continuing with the planned 2026 engine rules, and whether the current engines should instead be kept until the V10s are ready.
Any move to delay the 2026 rules would require unanimous support - which is unlikely to be reached.
Furthermore, even if there was agreement to do this, it appears to be almost impossible to achieve based on complications such as Honda moving teams from the Red Bull squads to Aston Martin at the end of this season, plus Audi and Red Bull/Ford not having a current-rules engine available given both are new projects timed to coincide with the start of the 2026 rules.
Audi firmly backs 2026 engine rules
While it's understood Ferrari and Red Bull are key supporters for a shift to V10s, Audi has now gone public in declaring its support for the 2026 versions of the turbo hybrids.
The incoming engines feature a 50/50 power split between the internal combustion engine and electric energy, having been framed in such a way to attract new manufacturers.
As well as convincing Audi to join F1, the regulations were enough to make Honda do a U-turn over its original plans to exit grand prix racing.
Having committed to creating a turbo hybrid for those rules, Audi emphasised the relevance of those engines to its road car programme and the importance of the 2026 rules to its decision to commit to F1 at all.
In a statement given to The Race relating to the talks about abandoning the turbo hybrids for V10s, Audi said: "The upcoming regulation changes, including the new hybrid power unit regulations set for the 2026 season and beyond, were a key factor in Audi's decision to enter Formula 1.
"These power unit regulations reflect the same technological advancements that drive innovation in Audi's road cars."
Rules window
The current regulations have dictated a five-year window for the turbo hybrids that run until the end of 2030.
However, the FIA has revealed that as part of a push to cut costs in F1 because the current engines are too expensive, it now wants to look at a change for as early as 2028.
Under F1's Powerunit Governance Agreement, it is understood that for such a move to happen it would require support from the FIA, FOM plus four of the five manufacturers currently involved.
Audi's opposition alone would in theory not be enough to stop it, were Mercedes and Honda to join Ferrari and Red Bull in supporting the plan.
However, the FIA's single seater director Nikolas Tombazis has made clear that the governing body would not railroad through rule changes if there were parties that would be left in a troubled spot.
"Above all, the obligation is to be fair, and people have invested a lot of money," said Tombazis.
"If nine people are in favour and one person is against and that one person is being treated unfairly, we will always also try to protect the one person.
"We won't just go on majorities and say 'OK let's do it'.
"We're trying to build consensus here, and if that fails, then we will stay where we are."
Mercedes open-minded
Honda's position on future engine rules has not been made official yet, but Mercedes has declared it is open to discussions on the matter.
Team boss Toto Wolff said at the Chinese Grand Prix that his firm was not wedded to turbo hybrids.
"We as Mercedes are always open, whether that's in the future an eight or ten cylinder, naturally aspirated or turbo, energy recovery and whatever size," he said.
"Absolutely you need to be open minded. We're all racers. We like the engines of the past, and then you need to strike the right balance between what is exciting to us dinosaurs, screaming loud engines, and then the fanbase."
Wolff is clear, however, that F1 should not be putting down next year's engine regulations, which he is convinced will be a success.
"I think we're racing with exciting regulations next year that were brought in by the FIA to accommodate newcomers like Audi, and I guess we achieved that," he said. "This is what we should be looking forward to.
"All of that is exciting and an exciting adventure. This is where we should put our emphasis on. This is what we should cheer for and speak about, with all the goodness that it's going to bring, rather than looking too far forward."
