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New 2026 Formula 1 rules to be ‘reviewed’ after the Chinese Grand Prix

by sports••0
New 2026 Formula 1 rules to be ‘reviewed’ after the Chinese Grand Prix
The 2026 rules will be reviewed after the Chinese Grand Prix. The Race reported that the intended review will take place ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix.

“We have a few tricks up our sleeves, which we didn’t want to introduce ahead of the first race as a kneejerk reaction and which we will review with the teams after China.”

– Nikolas Tombazis

Rule changes could come to Formula 1 after the first two rounds of the current season, with the matter being discussed after the conclusion of this week’s Grand Prix in Shanghai.
The new regulations received considerable backlash from the drivers, as Max Verstappen warned of suddenly exiting the competition, and Lando Norris highlighted safety concerns.

Photo: Race Pictures

A timeline is in place

After Bahrain testing, the FIA and the teams had outlined a timeline to evaluate the situation before rushing into making changes. This is set to take place after the Chinese Grand Prix.

“We had a meeting with the teams about ten days ago, after Bahrain test, to review the matter,” Tombazis explained to GPblog, among others, in Bahrain.

“And the team’s unanimous position was that we should stick to the current arrangements for the first few races and to review the matter when we have a few more, a bit more data.

“And our intention is after China to be reviewing the energy management situation. We have a few tricks up our sleeves, which we didn’t want to introduce ahead of the first race as a kneejerk reaction and which we will review with the teams after China.”

After China, there will be a weekend without racing (except for Verstappen who will compete at the Nurburgring), before the F1 grid visits Japan, for which the changes could already be in place.

Given the Middle East conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran, if the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix were cancelled, the parties would have more time to work with to make further adjustments after Japan.