BREAKING: F1 2026 car changes confirmed after crunch meeting

The FIA has released a statement confirming changes to the 2026 F1 cars following a crunch meeting on Monday.

F1 and the sport's governing body have been using the April break to address potential changes to the new cars, which have generated various criticisms and complaints from drivers and fans alike.

Amid complaints over how the cars are driven in qualifying, how the drivers complete overtakes, and safety issues, a series of meetings was called for April.

This included a major gathering on Monday, April 20. Following the meeting, the FIA detailed the changes in four categories - qualifying, the race, race starts and wet weather.

The following changes will be implemented ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, subject to a World Motor Sport Council vote.

Qualifying 

- Adjustments to energy management parameters, including a reduction in maximum permitted recharge from 8MJ to 7MJ, aimed at reducing excessive harvesting and encouraging more consistent flat-out driving. This change targets a maximum superclip duration reduced to approximately 2-4 seconds per lap.

- Peak superclip power increased to 350 kW, previously being 250kW, further reducing the time spent recharging, and reducing driver workload on energy management. This will also be applied in Race conditions. 

- The number of events where alternative lower energy limits may apply has been increased from 8 to 12 races, allowing greater adaptation to circuit characteristics. 

Race

- The maximum power available through the Boost in race conditions is now capped at +150 kW (or the car’s current power level at activation if higher) limiting sudden performance differentials.  

- MGU-K deployment is maintained at 350 kW in key acceleration zones (from corner exit to braking point, including overtaking zones) but will be limited to 250 kW in other parts of the lap.  

- These measures are designed to reduce excessive closing speeds while maintaining overtaking opportunities and overall performance characteristics. 

Wet conditions 

- Tyre blanket temperatures for intermediate tyres have been increased following driver feedback in order to improve initial grip and tyre performance in wet conditions. 

- Maximum ERS deployment will be reduced, limiting torque and improving car control in low-grip conditions. 

- The rear light systems have been simplified, with clearer and more consistent visual cues to improve visibility and reaction time for following drivers in poor conditions.

Changes to the race starts were also agreed upon, however these methods will be tested and analysed during the Miami Grand Prix.

These proposed changes have been detailed below.

Race starts

- A new “low power start detection” system has been developed, capable of identifying cars with abnormally low acceleration shortly after clutch release. 

- In such cases, an automatic MGU-K deployment will be triggered to ensure a minimum level of acceleration and mitigate start-related risks without introducing any sporting advantage. 

- An associated visual warning system is being introduced, activating flashing lights (rear and lateral) on affected cars to alert following drivers. 

- A reset of the energy counter at the start of the formation lap has also been implemented to correct a previously identified system inconsistency.