The FIA is preparing to implement significant changes to Formula 1’s controversial energy management regulations after a productive meeting with drivers on Friday revealed widespread dissatisfaction with the current system. The discussions centered on modifications to energy harvesting and deployment rules that have fundamentally altered driving techniques since the introduction of new power units for the 2026 season, which feature a 50-50 split between internal combustion engine and electrical power.
Four-time world champion Max Verstappen has been among the most vocal critics of the current regulations, describing the new racing format as artificial and expressing his clear lack of enjoyment with the series under these rules. The energy management requirements have forced drivers to adopt unconventional techniques such as “lifting and coasting” and “superclipping” at corners to ensure adequate energy reserves throughout a lap, leading to criticism from a majority of the grid about the impact on competitive racing.
Safety concerns have added urgency to the rule revision discussions, particularly following Ollie Bearman’s 50G crash at the Japanese Grand Prix. The incident occurred when Bearman approached Franco Colapinto, who was traveling 50 km/h slower due to being at a different stage of energy deployment, forcing the Haas driver to swerve off track to avoid a collision. This highlighted the dangerous speed differentials created by the current energy management system.
According to reports, the leading proposal emerging from Friday’s meeting involves reducing the maximum harvestable energy around a lap from the current 8.5mJ limit. While this change would result in slower lap times, it would eliminate the need for the unusual energy-saving techniques that drivers have been forced to adopt. An additional proposal would increase the superclipping harvesting rate to 350kW, which would reduce the duration of top-speed reduction periods.
GPDA director and Mercedes driver George Russell characterized the meeting as “extremely positive,” noting that it represented “probably the closest relationship we’ve had with them in numerous years” from a technical standpoint. Russell emphasized that there is “a lot of low-hanging fruit” for improvement, specifically highlighting the 350-kilowatt superclip adjustment as “a no-brainer” that would significantly reduce lift-and-coast driving. He also pointed to regulatory constraints that prevent proper energy management on shorter straights as areas ripe for modification.
The proposed changes are not yet guaranteed to be implemented, as they must first survive a Monday meeting with team representatives where voting will take place. Any approved measures would then require ratification from both the F1 Commission and the World Motor Sport Council. However, the FIA retains the authority to mandate these changes on safety grounds regardless of voting outcomes, providing a potential pathway for implementation even if teams resist the modifications.