The FIA has confirmed the new power unit regulations it will introduce to Formula 1 next year are to remain in place for the current rules “cycle”.

The sport’s governing body reaffirmed its commitment to the new rules after FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem met with current and future F1 engine constructors in Bahrain.

Ben Sulayem surprised many in F1 two months ago by suggesting the series could reintroduce naturally-aspirated V10 engines, which the FIA replaced as the series’ standard engine format 20 years ago.

Although the FIA confirmed “the adoption of normally-aspirated engines with sustainable fuel” was discussed during the meeting, it ruled out the prospect of changing the incoming V6 hybrid turbo formula in the near future. “All parties are committed to the 2026 regulations and look forward to the prospect of exciting racing,” said the FIA in a statement.

While discussions around the future engine format will continue, the FIA stressed key aspects of the 2026 engine specification will remain priorities. The use of hybrid engines “will always be part of any future considerations” and “the use of sustainable fuel will be an imperative,” it said.

The governing body indicated it is prepared to consider adjustments to the financial regulations which govern power units in order to control costs. However it made no mention of any mechanism to prevent one manufacturer from gaining a substantial advantage over the competition, or another falling far behind, which Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said is a concern for some manufacturers which will join the grid next year or later.

Among those present at the meeting were Ben Sulayem, Horner, Audi’s Gernot Dollner, Sauber’s Michael Moritz and Mattia Binotto, Ferrari’s Frederic Vasseur, Ford’s Mark Rushbrook, GM’s Russ O’Blenes, Honda’s Koji Watanabe and Tetsushi Kakuda and Mercedes’ Ola Kallenius and Toto Wolff.

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The FIA said discussions focused on cost reductions, resilience against the recent turbulence in global financial markets, reducing the complexity of the current power units, improving sustainability, cutting weight, road car relevance and the acoustic appeal of the power units.

The new engine regulations which will come into force next year were agreed in 2022. They are expected to remain in force until at least 2030.

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