FIA confirms major 2026 F1 rule changes

The FIA has announced a response to growing criticism surrounding Formula 1’s new 2026 cars, confirming a series of technical adjustments after Monday’s high-level talks with teams, F1 management and key decision-makers.

Since the start of the season, the new regulations have faced complaints from drivers and fans over energy-saving demands in qualifying, inconsistent overtaking performance and dangerous speed differences during races. The April break created an opportunity for discussions, with several meetings held before a final summit on April 20.

Following those talks, the FIA outlined changes across four key areas: qualifying, race performance, race starts and wet-weather running. The measures are expected to come into force for the Miami Grand Prix, subject to approval by the World Motor Sport Council.

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Qualifying changes

To make qualifying laps more aggressive and reduce excessive lift-and-coast behaviour, the FIA will further adjust energy recovery settings. Maximum recharge has been lowered from 8MJ to 7MJ, while peak superclip power rises from 250kW to 350kW.

The governing body believes this will shorten the time drivers spend managing battery levels and allow more flat-out driving. In addition, the number of races where special lower-energy settings may be used has increased from eight to 12, giving more flexibility depending on circuit layout.

Race adjustments

For grands prix, the FIA has also moved to reduce dangerous closing speeds while preserving overtaking opportunities.

The race boost function will now be limited to an additional 150kW, preventing extreme speed advantages during passes. Meanwhile, MGU-K deployment will remain at 350kW in important acceleration areas such as exits and overtaking zones, but will drop to 250kW in other sections of the lap.

According to the FIA, this should create a more predictable racing product without removing strategic opportunities.

New start procedures

Race starts were another area of concern under the new regulations. A new monitoring system has now been developed to detect cars accelerating unusually slowly after clutch release.

If triggered, the car will automatically receive minimum MGU-K assistance to avoid dangerous launch issues. Warning lights on the rear and sides of the affected car will also flash to alert drivers behind.

The FIA also confirmed a reset of the energy counter at the beginning of the formation lap to solve a previously identified technical inconsistency.

These new start procedures will be trialled and analysed during the Miami Grand Prix before being fully confirmed.

Wet-weather improvements

Several wet-weather measures have also been introduced after driver feedback.

Intermediate tyre blanket temperatures will be raised to help generate grip more quickly, while ERS deployment will be reduced in slippery conditions to improve traction and control.

The FIA has also simplified rear light signals, aiming to make cars easier to see in poor visibility and to give following drivers clearer warnings in heavy spray.

The changes mark the first major revision of the 2026 rules and underline the FIA’s determination to react quickly after a controversial opening phase to the new era of Formula 1.