New regulatory amendments enhance racing safety in the 2026 Formula 1 season

The President of the International Federation of Auto Racing, Mohammed bin Sulayem, praised the efforts made by the various parties involved in the Formula 1 World Championship, to reach an agreement on a package of targeted regulatory improvements for the 2026 season.

A number of amendments were agreed upon during a meeting held via videoconference yesterday, with the participation of the International Automobile Federation, team managers, CEOs of power unit manufacturers, and Formula One management.

The changes included energy management during qualifying, enhanced safety and energy control during the race, and safety systems at the starting line, in addition to improvements in visibility and grip in wet weather conditions.

The final proposals are scheduled to be presented to the FIA ​​Global Safety Committee for electronic voting, with the aim of implementing them before the Miami Grand Prix on May 3, with the exception of the race start proposals, which will be tested and analyzed during the same weekend.

Emirati Mohammed bin Sulayem praised the efforts of all workers in the Formula 1 system, including FIA employees, teams, drivers and power unit manufacturers, for the constructive and cooperative work that was accomplished in a very short period.

He added that despite the unexpected gap in the racing schedule due to circumstances outside the scope of the sport, all parties remained fully committed to working in the best interests of Formula One, noting that the drivers were at the heart of these discussions, thanking them for their valuable contributions during the process.

On the other hand, Bin Sulayem explained, on the sidelines of the FIA ​​meeting that began yesterday in Budva, Montenegro, that safety and sporting integrity are the Federation’s top priorities, noting that the new changes came to address the challenges that were monitored during the opening rounds, and to ensure the continued quality of competition.

Discussions of the modifications were based on data collected from the first three rounds of the 2026 season, and included increasing the number of rounds during which alternative minimum power limits may be applied from 8 to 12 rounds, allowing for greater adaptation to the characteristics of the circuits.

The changes also included measures to reduce excessive speeds when approaching corners while preserving overtaking opportunities and general performance characteristics, in addition to simplifying the rear lighting systems and providing clearer visual signals to enhance the visibility and response speed of drivers in difficult weather conditions.

The FIA ​​meeting in Budva will conclude tomorrow, after three days of discussions between representatives of 102 FIA member clubs from the Middle East, Europe and Africa, with the aim of promoting safe and sustainable mobility for motorsport enthusiasts and road users.