Lewis Hamilton airs F1 frustration over key rule change: 'Makes absolutely no sense'

Lewis Hamilton has criticised Formula 1's decision to reduce race distances from 2027, arguing that it "makes absolutely no sense" as grands prix should in fact be made longer rather than shorter.

The F1 Commission approved cutting the standard race distance from 305 kilometres to 290 kilometres from next year, subject to final ratification by the FIA World Motor Sport Council. 

The change is designed to accommodate higher fuel-flow rates for the 2027 power units, which will boost internal combustion engine output relative to electrical deployment. 

A shorter race distance means teams will not need to redesign chassis or enlarge fuel tanks to carry more fuel, while also curbing the fuel-saving and energy management that has crept into races under the current power unit balance.

Speaking to select media, including RacingNews365, on Azerbaijan Grand Prix media day, Hamilton said he was unconvinced by the reasoning behind the cut.

"I don't really know anything about it or any of the reasons they put it up behind it," Hamilton said.

"I think the races should be longer because the races are physically easier than ever before. So shortening, I don't think, makes much sense. If you think about this weekend, we have the C3, 4, 5 [tyre compounds] that can pretty much all do the race distance.

"So we have a lot of races where it's only a one-stop. It's not particularly challenging. It is challenging, but they're making tyres that just seem to go longer.

"So for me, there's been many races where I wish we had more laps. It's the opposite that I would be asking for [which] is longer races, to be honest."

Lewis Hamilton eager for more extreme F1 races

The 41-year-old's complaint ties into changes Pirelli made for 2026, when the softest C6 compound was dropped and the degradation spread across the remaining C1 to C5 range was narrowed. 

That has produced lower wear rates and made one-stop strategies far more common, reducing the amount of tyre management drivers need to do during a grand prix.

The Ferrari driver went further, insisting the physical demands of the sport should be pushed rather than eased.

"This is supposed to be a sport which is the most physically and mentally demanding, and there are some [races] that are just so hot, and ultimately you are on the edge," added Hamilton.

"Like Singapore is incredibly hot and demanding. Malaysia will be crazy this year.

"But that is where I think you want to see athletes right at the edge of their performance and pushing their bodies further, pushing the levels and pushing the boundaries. Shortening the races makes absolutely no sense to me."