FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem is stepping into a turbulent scene in Bahrain after a period of absence - reportedly due to Ramadan.
Ben Sulayem will chair a crucial meeting of engine suppliers to discuss a potential revival of V10 engines, a move thought to be driven by Red Bull and Ferrari.
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc voiced his support in Bahrain: "What I've seen for next year isn't particularly exciting for me. I'd say most of us share the same opinion. Maybe some will be more vocal than others for different reasons. But I think we all agree that the V10 will be a much better solution."
Despite this, a majority vote for abandoning the planned, more electrified turbo engines for 2026 seems unlikely.
The Bahrain agenda also includes the FIA's delayed signing of the Concorde Agreement, already endorsed by Liberty Media and all eleven teams for 2026 onward.
However, the paddock's focus has been diverted by fresh turmoil within the FIA, sparked by the abrupt resignation of deputy president for sport Robert Reid. He cited a "fundamental breakdown in governance standards" and "critical decisions being made without due process".
Former FIA chief executive Natalie Robyn added fuel, calling it evidence of the FIA's "serious ongoing structural challenges".
Grand Prix Drivers' Association co-director George Russell expressed his unease with the situation. "Unfortunately, every time we hear some news from that side of the sport it is not really a big surprise," the Mercedes driver said. "Things seem to be continuously going in an unstable direction. I've got to be honest, we are getting to a point now where our actions are having little impact with those guys."
Indeed, his GPDA co-director Carlos Sainz vented frustration over a 10,000-euro FIA fine for arriving five seconds late to the Japanese national anthem at Suzuka, despite a medical note explaining a stomach issue. His tongue-in-cheek "Sh*t happens" remark during Thursday's official FIA press conference in Bahrain could land him in further trouble.
"I hope someone tells me where this 10k goes," the Spaniard said. "Then I can at least say 'Ok, it went to a nice cause'."
