In order to improve a combustion process of a motor vehicle, in particular with regard to emissions and/or the development of noise, a method for regulating an injection profile is provided, in which method a fuel is injected directly into a combustion chamber, wherein the regulation brings about a change in the injection profile (23) at least during a first work cycle on the basis of at least one parameter which is recorded during the first work cycle. Furthermore, a corresponding direct-injection internal combustion engine is provided.