Formula 1 teams have unanimously approved a package of technical regulation changes for 2026, with the FIA characterizing the adjustments as refinement rather than wholesale revision. According to Crash.net, FIA Single-Seater Director Nikolas Tombazis outlined the modifications ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, responding to concerns raised during the opening three rounds of the season.
The 2026 regulations — featuring new chassis designs, power units with approximately 50% electric output, and active aerodynamics — represent the most significant technical overhaul in recent F1 history. The first races under these rules produced mixed reactions. While close racing and frequent overtaking emerged, drivers and fans criticized the artificiality of the passing and raised safety concerns about high closing speeds between cars.
Those safety concerns materialized when Ollie Bearman and Franco Colapinto collided in Japan, validating warnings about the consequences of the new technical formula.
Targeted Changes to Qualifying and Race Procedures
“These 2026 regulations, as we’ve said a few times, are one of the biggest changes we’ve had probably in the history of Formula 1,” Tombazis said. “They were quite important to maintain the relevance, the technological developments, with the increased electrification and so on. We knew always that they presented certain challenges, and we always said we were going to review them after the first few races.”
The approved changes focus on three areas: qualifying performance, race energy deployment, and safety protocols. The FIA reduced the level of energy harvesting permitted on qualifying laps, allowing drivers to push at maximum attack for longer periods and reducing what the sport terms “superclipping” — a throttle management technique that compromises lap time. Race deployment limitations were also modified, though specific numerical values were not disclosed. Additionally, improved safety protocols for race starts and wet weather conditions were implemented.
“The first few races have gone quite well in many ways. It has been exciting with lots of close racing and overtaking, but there certainly have been areas where we needed to intervene,” Tombazis said. “So the approach we took here was one of evolution and refinement, not revolution. We don’t think there was any need for revolution.”
Driver Input Central to Decision-Making
The modifications emerged from an F1 Commission meeting where stakeholders discussed issues from the season’s opening rounds. While drivers do not formally participate in the Commission, Tombazis confirmed their feedback directly influenced the regulatory adjustments.
“There is a governance that underpins the Formula 1 regulations, which means that while the FIA lead the process and guide and carry out the work, we do need to have a level of consensus achieved with the various stakeholders – mainly the teams and the power unit manufacturers – and that is the work we have been carry out recently,” Tombazis explained. “But we have also been discussing the matters with the drivers, because ultimately they are sitting in the car, they experience things first-hand, and it is invaluable to get their input.”
Driver feedback converged on two priorities: improving the qualifying experience and addressing safety concerns. “The position of the drivers was quite uniform among them,” Tombazis said. “They were all pushing for some changes in qualifying in order to enjoy the driving more, to push more, but they were also pushing for us to address certain safety concerns they had, so they were quite united, and their input in this was very important.”
Further Adjustments Not Ruled Out
Tombazis indicated the FIA remains open to additional changes as teams continue developing their understanding of the 2026 regulations. “Clearly, when the regulations are new, like we have in 2026, that is a slightly more intense process of discussion than maybe when the regulations have had a few years of maturity,” he said.
The regulatory evolution process mirrors the FIA’s approach during previous major rule changes, though the magnitude of the 2026 overhaul — combining chassis, power unit, and aerodynamic revisions simultaneously — creates a more compressed timeline for identifying and correcting issues. The unanimous approval by teams signals alignment on the fundamental direction, even as specific parameters continue to be calibrated.
F1 returns to action at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Imola on 18-20 April, where the revised qualifying and race procedures will be implemented for the first time.