FIA reveal F1 2026 changes set for Miami GP after crunch meeting
The opening three rounds of the 2026 season has seen widespread criticism of the new regulations, with the focus particularly on the need for energy management, as well as safety concerns surrounding the cars’ 50:50 split of electrical power and internal combustion.
Among the changes announced, qualifying will now reduce the maximum permitted recharge from 8MJ to 7MJ, while the maximum super-clip duration will be reduced to 2-4 seconds per lap.
Super-clipping, when the MGU-K harvests energy at full throttle, usually at the end of straights or in fast corners, will also have its peak power increased from 250kW to 350 kW – this change will also be seen in racing conditions.
The changes come after safety concerns were raised following Ollie Bearman’s 50G crash at Suzuka behind a slow-moving, recharging Alpine of Franco Colapinto.
The FIA said: “These measures are designed to reduce excessive closing speeds while maintaining overtaking opportunities and overall performance characteristics.”
Photo: Race Pictures
Prior to Monday’s regulation changes, several drivers, including Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, and Carlos Sainz have publicly criticised the new ruleset, with the 2026 racing being likened to something out of Mario Kart.
Speaking to media, including GPblog, Wolff emphasised the need for those involved in F1 to understand their “responsibility” to protect the sport.
“We need to respect what the sport has done for us and work constructively among ourselves to improve where things need to be improved and safeguard when it’s needed.
“We will all have our opinions and that’s absolutely legit, but these opinions and discussion should happen among the stakeholders more than in the public eye, because the sport is in a great place.
“We have many hundreds of thousands of fans that love the sport. There are others that don’t love certain aspects of the sport.
“But in order to protect all of this huge opportunity that the sport gives us, we shouldn’t badmouth our own sport in public.“
Photo: Race Pictures