Formula 1 agrees to engine design change after criticism

Formula 1 agrees to engine design change after criticismImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, F1's new engines will be tweaked over the next two years to address criticismByAndrew BensonF1 CorrespondentPublished3 minutes agoFormula 1 has agreed a two-step plan to change engine design in response to criticism of this year's new rules.Drivers have complained that the near 50-50 split between internal combustion and electrical power this year and need for energy management has diminished the challenge in qualifying.Four-time champion Max Verstappen was so upset by the new engines he said he would quit F1 if changes were not made, but all other drivers were in agreement the issue needed to be addressed.The engine suppliers have agreed to change the ratio to 60-40 in favour of the internal combustion engine by 2028 and will do so in two steps.The compromise agreement comes after a month of talks in which Ferrari and Audi were leading a push to prevent the move to 60-40 being made in one step for 2027.A statement from governing body the FIA said: "The proposed changes are intended to address issues related to energy management and fuel energy-flow characteristics and make qualifying more flat-out while not impacting the positive and exciting racing generated by the new regulations."The agreed plan will see the split changed to 58-42 in 2027 before moving to 60-40 in 2028.The changes will be made by increasing the fuel-flow to the internal combustion engine (ICE) by 5% in 2027 and 13% in 2028.This will increase the power from the ICE from about 400kW (536bhp) this year to 420kW (563bhp) in 2027 and 450kW (603bhp) in 2028.Power produced by the electrical part of the engine will be reduced from 350kW (470bhp) this year to 300kW (402bhp) from next year.The maximum power available in overtake mode, which gives a driver within one second of a car in front the ability to recover and use an extra 0.5MJ of energy per lap will remain at 350kW.But the maximum...