Brawn: "No new F1 manufacturers until rules change in 2026"
Ross Brawn states that no new power unit manufacturers will enter Formula 1 until rules change in 2026, while options for format changes are wide open.
There are no potential new constructors interested in entering Formula 1 as Volkswagen/Audi has repeatedly rejected the possibility to join Formula 1 as power unit manufacturers.
Interviewed by Autosport, Ross Brawn claimed that the situation will not change under the current regulations, which will continue until 2025. Nevertheless, Brown added that FIA and the manufacturers are collaborating to find opportunities to attract new engine suppliers and design the next generation powertrains accordingly. The aim is to introduce new power-unit specifications that can encourage manufacturers to join Ferrari, Mercedes, Renault, and Honda in the long term.
"It's not that far away when you think you've got to do a new engine," Brawn said.
"You will have to be starting your engine design in 18 months if you want to get one for then.
"So with the FIA and with the manufacturers we're now looking at what the next powertrain should look like, and I think that's the opportunity to get new manufacturers involved, and we need to find a design specification to do that.
"We're looking at what we feel is a relevant powertrain for that period.
"No one is going to invest in the current engine, because it's going to finish in that time, and it's a very substantial investment to get up to speed."
Brawn continued remarking that, although there is no urgency to define the new rules, a pool of experts from both F1 and FIA is already discussing and assessing new ideas for the 2026 season.
"We were having a discussion about it," said Brawn. "Pat Symonds, Nick Hayes, Gilles Simon, Fabrice Lom and Nikolas Tombazis, we're all working on what the powertrain should look like for the future.
"We know what the objectives are - relevance, the economics of it, and it's got to be a good racing engine.
"We know what we want to achieve, we just haven't defined yet what that will be.
"We continue to believe that there are alternative approaches to solutions to the future. We don't think there's one solution.
"We believe we can occupy a very relevant space. Sustainable fuels are a big thing for us, because whatever engine we have, that will be a major part of it.
"With some of our partners we're now working on a strategy for introducing sustainable fuels into F1. So that will be a big element for the future. But really for the moment I don't have an idea on how the engine should look."
The sports director of Formula 1, concluded that rules will not determine a radical shift.
"I think for the moment we feel it will retain similar technologies to what we have now.
"There are a number of radical engines on the horizon, but we don't think they are well enough established that in 18 months you can commit yourself to them."