Audi’s chief executive Gernot Dollner warned that the manufacturer will resist any major 2027 power‑unit overhaul, prioritising cost‑cap compliance and technical stability above an aggressive 60/40 ICE‑electric split.
FIA’s 60/40 proposal meets divided reception across the grid
During the Canadian Grand Prix weekend the FIA outlined an “agreement in principle” to shift the power‑unit balance to a 60% internal‑combustion engine and 40% electric output. While drivers such as Max Verstappen voiced enthusiasm – even hinting at future prospects tied to the split – teams remain cautious. Ferrari is concentrating on its ADUO programme, and both Audi and Honda have flagged the financial strain of a sweeping reform.
Audi champions regulatory continuity, not radical redesign
Dollner, speaking to Motorsport.com in Monaco, emphasized that stability aligns with Audi’s need to stay within the cost‑cap envelope. “Our innovation path is steeper because we started lower, so we favour a stable environment,” he explained, adding that any significant hardware changes would clash with the budget‑efficient strategy already embedded in their drivetrain concept.
Because Audi sits within the broader Volkswagen Group, a major investment would have to traverse multiple corporate approvals, yet Dollner dismissed this bureaucracy as the chief obstacle. The chief concern, according to him, is allocating resources to optimise the existing power‑unit rather than funding a regulatory shift.
Potential middle ground: modest fuel‑flow tweak and downforce reduction
Among the options under discussion is a limited 5% increase in fuel flow coupled with a 40‑ to 50‑point cut in aerodynamic downforce for the 2027 season. Such a measure would avoid extensive hardware redesign, keeping the financial impact low while still offering performance gains.
Audi indicated willingness to accept changes that do not demand new components, preserving the current drivetrain architecture while still complying with whatever solution the FIA finalises for 2027.
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