FIA confirm ‘refinements’ to current F1 2026 regulations ahead of Miami GP
20th April 2026The FIA has confirmed ‘refinements’ to the current 2026 Formula 1 regulations ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, and they have been agreed by all stakeholders.
Feature image credit: FIA
F1 is well and truly deep into spring break, with the Miami Grand Prix fast approaching to bring racing back after cancelling the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian races in April.
During this break, the sport and FIA have had the time to conduct meetings which could impact the current regulations. On Monday evening, the FIA confirmed a number of refinements which will be made to the current regulations.
The proposals were presented on Monday, following consultations between the FIA, technical representatives and F1 drivers, and were agreed by all of the stakeholders involved; the FIA, Team Principals, CEOs of Power Unit Manufacturers and Formula One Management (FOM).
Topics discussed surrounded qualifying, the races, race starts and wet conditions. These will be implemented at the upcoming Miami Grand Prix, apart from race start changes, which will be adopted following ‘feedback and analysis.’
Qualifying
The FIA confirmed there will be adjustments to energy management parameters, including a reduction of the maximum permitted recharge, which will drop from 8MJ to 7MJ.
It is aimed to reduce excessive harvesting and encourage more flat-out driving, and also targets a maximum superclip duration reduction of two to four seconds per lap.
Peak superclip power has also been increased to 350kW after sitting at 250kW. Reducing the need for drivers to spend time recharging and allowing a reduction of their workloads for energy management, and it will be applied to race conditions.
It has been confirmed that the number of events where alternate lower energy limits may apply has been increased from eight to 12.
Race
There will be a maximum allowance of power available through the boost in race conditions, which will be capped at +150kW, or the car’s current power level at activation if it’s higher.
MGU-K deployment will be kept at 350kW in important acceleration zones, which include corner exit to braking point and overtaking zones, but will be limited to 250kW in other sections of the lap.
The FIA claims these measures ‘are designed to reduce excessive closing speeds while maintaining overtaking opportunities and overall performance characteristics.’
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Race starts
The FIA are to implement a ‘low power start detection’ system, which is reportedly capable of identifying cars with ‘abnormally’ low acceleration after the clutch has been released.
In these cases, there will be an automatic MGU-K deployment and it will ensure a minimum acceleration and lower start-related risks without introducing sporting advantages. A visual warning system will be introduced and will include flashing lights on the affected cars to alert the drivers behind.
There will also be a reset of the energy counter at the start of the formation lap to correct a previous ‘system inconsistency.’
Wet conditions
Temperatures for Intermediate tyre blankets have been increased following feedback from the drivers in a bid to improve initial grip and tyre performance in wet conditions.
A maximum ERS deployment will be reduced and will help limit torque, ultimately improving car control in low-grip conditions. Rear light systems have also been simplified for ‘clearer and more consistent visual cues’ to help improve visibility and reaction time for the following drivers.
The final proposals are subject to World Motor Sport Council approval, through an e-vote, with targets to implement these proposals for the upcoming F1 race weekend, on May 1 to 3.
Read more Formula 1 here:
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- Superb In Suzuka: Kimi Antonelli Takes The Championship Lead And Rewrites History!
- FIA release statement after Bearman crash at Japanese GP
- Who finished where at 2026 Japanese Grand Prix?
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Hi, I’m Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion.
I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I’ve loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.
Kamron Kent
Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.
