F1 needs to have hard look at itself - Sainz

Sainz’s comments have highlighted growing concern over the current power‑unit regulations, which call for an almost even split between internal‑combustion and electrical energy. The resulting engines are markedly power‑starved, causing drivers to report counter‑intuitive handling and a noticeable reduction in the influence of driver skill. Although the units can produce roughly 1,000 bhp when the batteries are fully charged, output falls to about 540 bhp once the stored energy is depleted. Because the rules require the battery pack to deploy and recharge several times each lap, a series of complex operational restrictions have been introduced in an attempt to mitigate the side effects. One such restriction became evident during the Malaysian Grand Prix, where wet‑track conditions triggered a cut in electrical power from 350 kW (≈470 bhp) to 250 kW (≈335 bhp). Additionally, the regulations force cars to ease off at the end of straights to replenish the batteries, a practice that has neutralised many high‑speed corners. Two‑time world champion Fernando Albert Alonso famously labelled those sections “charging stations for the car”. The 50‑50 power‑unit split was agreed upon five or six years ago. Teams had warned the FIA as early as 2023 that the arrangement would create the very problems now surfacing, but the split was not seriously re‑examined until shortly before the start of this season, when the extent of the engine‑interaction issue became clear. Since the cars began running under the current rules, the FIA has rolled out a succession of regulation tweaks aimed at addressing the shortcomings. For 2024, the amount of permissible development varies according to how power‑starved a particular circuit is. Looking ahead, the power‑unit balance is slated to shift to a 60‑40 favour of internal combustion in two stages, with the change to be completed by 2028. Meanwhile, teams and Formula 1 management are already engaged in finalising a new engine concept designed to eliminate power‑starvation altogether. FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem initially advocated for a return to naturally aspirated V8 units without any hybrid component. The current leading alternative, however, is a V8 turbocharged unit supplemented by 15 % to 25 % electrical power, which would primarily serve as a straightforward push‑to‑pass mechanism.