The FIA has introduced a blanket ban on the use of boost mode in wet weather conditions, effective from this weekend’s Miami Grand Prix. The measure is part of a package of safety revisions aimed at addressing driver concerns about the aggressive torque characteristics of the 2026 cars in rainy conditions.
The boost button, which delivers up to an extra 350kW of power to aid overtaking in dry conditions, will now be prohibited whenever low grip conditions are declared. A new technical regulation states that in such circumstances, boost mode “will be inhibited and is not allowed.”
Without the boost function available, there will be no power offset between cars designed to facilitate passing. Instead, electrical energy deployment will come exclusively through pre-programmed engine maps, eliminating the driver-controlled power advantage that has been a feature of overtaking in the dry.
Additional Wet Weather Restrictions
Beyond the boost mode prohibition, the FIA has also tightened regulations surrounding the use of active aerodynamics in wet conditions. The revised rules now specify that “in Low Grip Conditions, only partial activation of the Driver Adjustable Bodywork in the associated Low Grip Activation Zones is allowed.”
The changes follow driver feedback about the risks posed by the current generation of cars in the rain. The electrical elements of the 2026 power units deliver torque characteristics that have raised concerns about controllability on wet surfaces.
Previously announced measures include increased tyre blanket temperatures for intermediate tyres and limits on the maximum amount of battery deployment through specific energy curves. The full package of revisions has now been approved by the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council.
Miami Faces Significant Rain Threat
The timing of these regulatory changes comes ahead of a Miami Grand Prix where weather forecasts point to a 75% chance of rain on Sunday. The situation is complicated by strict local and national protocols that require action to be suspended if lightning strikes in the area.
The National Weather Service’s advisory information for sporting events states that if thunderstorms are forecast, organisers should consider cancelling or postponing activities. The guidance specifies that events should be stopped if lightning can be seen, thunder can be heard, or even if skies appear threatening.
Last year, with similar thunderstorm threats looming for race day, the FIA informed teams that the race would be red-flagged if lightning arrived during the event. In the end, the weather cleared and no such intervention was required.
The 2026 Miami Grand Prix takes place on Sunday, 4 May, with lights out scheduled for 4pm local time. All sessions this weekend will operate under the new wet weather regulations, giving teams and drivers their first opportunity to experience racing in low grip conditions without the boost mode advantage they’ve relied on in previous seasons.