FIA confirms 2026 F1 rule changes ahead of Miami Grand Prix

Key Points:

• The FIA, Formula 1, teams, and power unit manufacturers met to discuss technical regulation improvements after the first three rounds of the 2026 season, focusing on qualifying performance and safety enhancements ahead of the Miami Grand Prix.
• Key changes include increasing the super clipping limit from 250 kW to 350 kW to allow more energy recovery at full throttle, reducing qualifying energy harvesting from 8 MJ to 7 MJ, and limiting MGU-K deployment to 250 kW outside key acceleration zones to reduce excessive closing speeds while maintaining overtaking opportunities.
• A new low power start detection system will be tested from Miami to prevent dangerous starts by automatically deploying MGU-K to ensure minimum acceleration and activating flashing lights on affected cars to warn others.
• Additional safety measures for wet conditions include raising intermediate tyre blanket temperatures, reducing ERS deployment, and simplifying rear light systems.
• FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem praised the collaborative approach of all parties, emphasizing safety and sporting fairness, while Mercedes' Toto Wolff and Max Verstappen called for measured changes in 2026 with hopes for more significant updates in 2027.