FIA confirms teams rejected 200kW power cut as 2026 engines face harvesting "challenge" in Miami

Nikolas Tombazis confirms F1 teams rejected a plan to slash 2026 electrical power by nearly half, leading to current energy management struggles in Miami.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 28, 2026, 12:13 PM EDT

The Failed Push for a Combustion-Heavy Formula

The architectural tension of the 2026 Formula 1 regulations has been brought into sharp focus following Nikolas Tombazis’ confirmation of a rejected power-cut proposal. Approximately 12 months ago, the FIA lobbied to reduce the planned electrical output of the new power units from 350kW down to 200kW. The move was intended to reduce the strain on energy harvesting systems and increase the sport's reliance on internal combustion power. However, the manufacturers and teams voted down the measure, choosing to commit to the ambitious 50/50 power split. This decision has directly contributed to the "energy management challenge" witnessed during the opening rounds of the season in Australia, China, and Japan.

Unexpected Performance Gains Complicate Harvesting

A primary factor in the current harvesting crisis is that the 2026 chassis have proven to be significantly faster than the FIA’s initial simulations predicted. According to Tombazis, teams have found higher levels of downforce than expected, which has altered the braking profiles of the cars. Because the cars are spending less time under heavy braking, the amount of kinetic energy recovered via the MGU-K is lower than anticipated. This deficit in recovered energy has forced drivers into excessive "lift-and-coast" phases and "super clipping" on straights just to keep the batteries charged, a compromise that has drawn sharp criticism from the drivers' union.

Evolutionary Tweaks for the Miami Grand Prix

In response to these early-season hurdles, the FIA has implemented a series of "evolutionary" tweaks starting this weekend in Florida. While the 350kW peak power remains, the peak super-clipping capability has been increased from 250kW to 350kW. This change is designed to condense the harvesting phase, allowing drivers to charge the battery more aggressively in short bursts rather than prolonged, sluggish coasting periods. Additionally, the maximum energy generation per lap has been capped to encourage a more traditional driving style where the transition from full throttle to heavy braking is more direct.