Formula 1 teams, power unit manufacturers, and series officials have unanimously agreed to a package of mid-season rule changes targeting safety and qualifying performance issues with the 2026 regulations. Most modifications will take effect immediately from the Miami Grand Prix at the start of May.
According to The Race, the two-hour meeting on Monday afternoon involved teams, power unit manufacturers, F1, and the FIA, with the focus on refining electrical systems to increase flat-out driving in qualifying and reduce dangerous closing speeds between cars. The changes require approval from the FIA World Motor Sport Council, which should be a formality.
Key Changes to Qualifying and Race Formats
The most significant qualifying modification reduces the recharge limit from 8MJ to 7MJ per lap. This reduction aims to eliminate excessive energy harvesting and ensure more of each lap is run at maximum power, reducing the need for unusual energy recovery tactics that have marred the spectacle in the opening races.
The super clipping recharge allowance increases from 250kW to 350kW in both qualifying and races. This change removes the temptation for drivers to lift and coast to recover energy, while also reducing driver workload on energy management. The adjustments target a maximum superclip duration of approximately 2 to 4 seconds per lap, down from longer periods that have created inconsistent lap times.
The number of events where alternative lower energy limits may apply has been increased from 8 to 12 races, allowing greater adaptation to circuit characteristics.
For race conditions, maximum power available through the Boost system is now capped at 150kW above current power levels (or the car’s current power level at activation if higher), limiting sudden performance differentials. MGU-K deployment remains at 350kW in key acceleration zones—from corner exit to braking point, including overtaking zones—but is limited to 250kW in other parts of the lap. These measures are designed to reduce excessive closing speeds while maintaining overtaking opportunities.
New Safety Systems for Race Starts
A new “low power start detection” system has been developed to identify cars with abnormally low acceleration shortly after clutch release. In such cases, an automatic MGU-K deployment will be triggered to ensure a minimum level of acceleration and mitigate start-related risks without introducing any sporting advantage.
An associated visual warning system will activate flashing lights—both rear and lateral—on affected cars to alert following drivers. This addresses concerns about the potential for major incidents when cars fail to get away cleanly at race starts, a problem exacerbated by the 2026 power units’ complex electrical systems.
Technical changes to help slower cars get away better are also being evaluated. Tests are expected to take place in Miami before full introduction, whereas the other changes will happen with immediate effect. A reset of the energy counter at the start of the formation lap has been implemented to correct a previously identified system inconsistency.
Wet Weather Modifications
Tyre blanket temperatures for intermediate tyres have been increased following driver feedback, improving initial grip and tyre performance in wet conditions. Maximum ERS deployment will be reduced in wet weather, limiting torque and improving car control in low-grip conditions.
The rear light systems have been simplified with clearer and more consistent visual cues to improve visibility and reaction time for following drivers in poor conditions. These changes respond to concerns raised after wet running in pre-season testing and the opening races.
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said: “Safety and sporting fairness remain the FIA’s highest priorities. These changes have been introduced to address the issues identified in the opening events and to ensure the continued integrity and quality of the competition.”
Ben Sulayem praised the “constructive and collaborative” work conducted by all parties, emphasizing the importance of driver input: “While we have faced an unexpected gap in the calendar due to circumstances beyond the sport, all parties have remained fully committed to acting in the best interests of F1. More than ever, the drivers have been at the heart of these discussions, and I would like to thank them for their valuable input throughout this process.”
The first race under the revised regulations will be the Miami Grand Prix, which begins practice on May 2, 2026. Teams will have the April break to update software and hardware systems to comply with the new parameters before the championship resumes.