Ferrari and Mercedes won’t be happy with Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s latest ‘common sense’ F1 rule change proposal

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Mohammed Ben Sulayem is in the midst of an FIA presidency campaign as he closes in on the end of his first term in the role.

The FIA voted in Mohammed Ben Sulayem in 2021 when he took over from former Ferrari chief Jean Todt.

Since then, his tenure hasn’t been without several big talking points.

Ben Sulayem introduced a swearing ban that saw Max Verstappen get caught out in his pre-race press conference at the Singapore Grand Prix last year and have to take part in community service.

There have been questions over the amount of dialogue between the FIA and drivers over key issues, and Tim Mayer has now emerged as a candidate to challenge Ben Sulayem in December’s elections.

One of the biggest changes that Ben Sulayem has overseen is the upcoming 2026 F1 regulations that are being introduced next season.

There are question marks over these new rules, with Adrian Newey expecting every team to struggle as both the chassis and engine regulations are being updated.

Ben Sulayem hasn’t been shy about suggesting proposed changes, but one new option is unlikely to go down well with Ferrari and Mercedes.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s ‘common sense’ fuel suggestion could upset Ferrari and Mercedes

The FIA president took part in an interview with The Race and explained his proposals for a future Formula 1 rule update.

Ben Sulayem previously pushed for the return of V10 engines, although the majority of current power unit manufacturers would be opposed to this change.

Speaking about the current engines, he said: “Now they can see, the teams and the PUMs [power unit manufacturers], that we cannot go on with this [current] engine.

“It is such a complicated engine with the MGU-H. It did its time, but did it reach expectations? In another three years, I hope it’s an old engine, as it will be 15 years [since it was introduced].

“And OK, we removed the MGU-H [for 2026], we put a hybrid on it, and then we changed the compression ratio, fuel and boost pressure, but we need a fresh engine that is much lighter.

“This is the way to go. A single supplier for the gearbox. A single supplier for the fuel is one of the main things. And a single supplier for the electric hybrid.

“That only will work with [support from] FOM [Formula One Management] and the teams.

“So we throw it [at them] and see if they will accept it. They have to accept, because it’s common sense.”

Why Ferrari and Mercedes might not be happy with a ‘single’ fuel supplier

The Race reports that F1 manufacturers are ‘potentially open’ to the return of V8 engines, as opposed to the previously suggested V10s, standardised elements around the power units are unlikely to be as popular.

A standard fuel across all the teams would keep costs down, with The Race suggesting that there are fears teams will be paying close to £225 per litre next season.

However, it creates a bigger issue for the likes of Ferrari and Mercedes, who have relied on lucrative sponsorship deals with Shell and Petronas for some time.

Aston Martin have a similar partnership with title sponsors Aramco, and whoever the FIA would choose as their fuel provider is likely to upset their competitors and the teams they support.

Ferrari may be making a lot of money from Lewis Hamilton’s arrival when it comes to sponsorship and marketing, but the cost cap means that they would be desperate not to lose Shell’s backing.

Not only that, but Shell’s logo is iconic on Ferrari’s Formula 1 livery, and a Mercedes without Petronas backing would look very bizarre after supporting them since their return to the sport in 2010.