Would Formula 1 Have Only Two Car Manufacturers Without the New Rules?

Ferrari and Mercedes would have been the only car manufacturers left in Formula 1 by the start of 2026 if the current technical regulations hadn't been introduced. This was stated by FIA Single-Seater Director Nicolas Tombazis in an exclusive interview with Grandprix.com.

The Greek specialist expressed his conviction that Audi, Ford, and General Motors would not have decided to enter Formula 1, and Honda would not have abandoned its plans to leave the sport, had a step towards greater electrification not been taken.

While drivers complain to the FIA and Formula 1 about the rules, Tombazis clarified that, first and foremost, the regulations were agreed upon by the manufacturers currently involved in the sport, plus Porsche, who subsequently withdrew. He emphasized that the federation did not have the authority to impose its own ideas. The FIA Single-Seater Director recalled that the 50/50 power distribution "was a very important stance for the manufacturers already participating and, frankly, even more so for those who had to decide whether they wanted to be in Formula 1 or not."

He then pointed out that "we shouldn't forget that if we hadn't introduced these rules, we would have only two power unit suppliers in Formula 1, which, in my opinion, would have been a serious problem."

Tombazis clearly believes that only Ferrari and Mercedes would have remained, while Audi, Ford, General Motors, and Honda would not have chosen to join. According to him, Renault, who are firmly committed to fully electrifying their road cars by 2035, would have withdrawn anyway.