The FIA has confirmed it will significantly boost its testing plans for the 2026 F1 season.
In recent seasons, pre-season testing has consisted of just three days before the first official race weekend of the campaign.
However, new aerodynamic and power unit regulations will come into play in just over one years' time in one of the biggest rule changes in recent history.
As a result, the FIA has confirmed that the “2026 pre-season test schedule will involve three, three-day tests, in recognition of the challenges presented by the new Power Unit Regulations.”
The location of tests has not yet been confirmed - however F1 has solely tested in Bahrain ahead of the last two seasons, with Barcelona also hosting a test in 2022 when the last major regulation change came into play.
The FIA also confirmed amendments to the technical regulations “in the areas of performance, aerodynamics and safety have been included in the latest iteration of these regulations. These involve an increase of the expected aerodynamic performance of the cars following extensive collaboration between the teams and the FIA over the last few months.”
Meanwhile the financial regulations “will be an evolution of the current regulatory framework”, with the FIA highlighting “the objectives of the 2026 regulations are to provide a competitive balance between sporting fairness and financial sustainability.”
All of the updates will be presented at the World Motor Sport Council meeting on Thursday, October 17.
Also interesting:
In a very special episode of the RacingNews365 podcast, lead editor Ian Parkes and Nick Golding are joined by three-time F1 world champion Sir Jackie Stewart. The current F1 season, the sport's safety and Lewis Hamilton joining Ferrari are leading talking points.
If you'd rather watch than listen - the video is available here!
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