Formula 1’s planned 2027 power unit adjustment could disrupt team development schedules and potentially reduce Mercedes’ advantage, according to Sky Sports F1 analyst and former W Series driver Naomi Schiff.
The FIA has confirmed that engine hardware changes are set to arrive in 2027, with the series moving toward a 60:40 split between internal combustion and electrical power. The aim is to make the cars more intuitive to drive by reducing electric output by 50 kW and increasing internal combustion engine output by the same amount.
Speaking on the Up To Speed podcast, Schiff said the planned change carries both technical and political consequences. Mercedes has started strongly with its power unit package, and she suggested that some may view the regulation shift as a move that could effectively punish the team.
Schiff noted that if Mercedes had built a clear advantage under the current direction, changing the power balance could interrupt what might have become another strong competitive era for the German manufacturer.
The proposed 60:40 balance would reduce the amount of electric energy drivers need to manage during a lap. According to Schiff, the battery limitations have forced drivers into heavy energy management, and reducing the electric share could make the system more efficient and easier to race with.
However, shifting more performance back toward the internal combustion engine also means cars may need to burn more fuel. Schiff warned that this could create new problems for teams depending on how aggressively they have designed their fuel cells.
One of the biggest concerns is that some teams may need a new fuel cell to handle the increased fuel requirement. If that happens, the consequences could go beyond the power unit itself.
A different fuel cell can force major changes to the chassis, packaging and aerodynamic concept. That could be especially disruptive because teams are already deep into their designs for next season.
Schiff also highlighted the timing of the decision. Formula 1 teams are already advanced in their development work and may soon be preparing cars for wind tunnel testing.
She questioned whether teams would now need to return to the drawing board and how they could remain on schedule if the 2027 power unit changes require significant redesign work.
The situation leaves teams facing a difficult balance: continue with existing development plans or adapt quickly to a regulation shift that could reshape both power unit performance and car architecture.
