Formula 1 will have important changes to the 2026 regulations before the Miami GP, after the FIA confirmed new technical and sporting adjustments. The president of the entity, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, commented on the changes and highlighted the joint work between teams, drivers, and manufacturers.
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These changes were announced this Monday (20), after discussions motivated by concerns about performance and safety in the first events of the season. The final proposals will be submitted to an electronic vote by the FIA World Motor Sport Council, with the intention of implementation before the Miami GP, on May 03, while adjustments to the starts will be tested during the race weekend itself in the USA.
Ben Sulayem, in an official statement, praised the collective effort to reach short-term solutions: “I would like to commend everyone in the Formula 1 ecosystem, the FIA team, the teams, the drivers, and the power unit manufacturers, for the constructive and collaborative work carried out in a very short period,” he stated.
The official also highlighted that the discussions took place after an unexpected break in the calendar: “Although we faced an unexpected gap in the calendar due to circumstances beyond the sport, all parties remained fully committed to acting in the best interest of Formula 1.”
Ben Sulayem also said that the drivers played a central role in the decisions: “More than ever, the drivers were at the center of these discussions, and I would like to thank them for their valuable contribution throughout this process,” he said. The president also reinforced that safety and sporting fairness remain the entity’s priorities.
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“Safety and sporting fairness continue to be the FIA’s highest priorities. These changes were introduced to address the problems identified in the initial stages and ensure the integrity and quality of the competition,” added the official, before projecting the rest of the championship: “Now we look forward to the rest of what promises to be an exciting 2026 season,” he concluded.
Among the main changes are adjustments to energy management during qualifying sessions, with a reduction in maximum recharge from 8MJ to 7MJ and an increase in ‘superclip’ power to 350 kW. These measures aim to reduce recharge time and allow for more consistent laps, as well as decrease the drivers’ workload.
The FIA also announced changes to improve safety in races, including a +150 kW limit for the ‘boost’ and adjustments to the use of the MGU-K, maintained at 350 kW in acceleration and overtaking zones, but reduced to 250 kW in other parts of the lap on the circuits. According to the entity, these measures aim to reduce excessive approach speeds without compromising overtaking opportunities.
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