(Motorsport-Total.com) – Formula 1 will partially reintroduce the boost mode for the remainder of the 2026 season for safety reasons, after the FIA World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) confirmed a series of regulation changes.
Read more Further Formula 1 rule changes for 2026 and 2027 decided
At the beginning of the year, the FIA prohibited drivers from using the boost mode in wet conditions after drivers pointed out that the enormous increase in torque would pose a safety risk, especially since the 2026 generation cars are already difficult to drive in wet conditions without the sudden large power increase.
The FIA has now made another adjustment and partially reintroduced the boost mode, but only to maintain braking performance on straights without increasing overall power. This is intended to further reduce approach speeds in poor visibility.
In its WMSC report, the FIA explains: “At low grip, when the track is wet and visibility is poor, the boost mode has been reintroduced but is limited to preventing power drops without increasing power, while the overtaking function is disabled. These changes were made for safety reasons.”
Formula 1 fails: These rule changes were a flop
Another small adjustment: in the future, the issuance of a heat warning (“Heat Hazard”) will be split between the sprint and the main race, so it can apply to only one of them if necessary.
“The issuance of a heat warning can now be split between the sprint and the race. A heat warning will still be issued 24 hours before the start of the event for the sprint, the race, or both,” it says.
The measure requires drivers to either wear prescribed cooling vests or carry additional ballast weight.
Further changes for 2027 formally confirmed
The council, which met in Macau, also formally ratified further technical and sporting changes for 2027 and beyond, which were agreed upon by Formula 1 stakeholders in recent weeks.
Read more The Friday drivers of Formula 1 2026 at a glance
For 2027, Formula 1 is switching to a ratio of 58 to 42 between combustion power and electric energy to further optimize racing following drivers’ complaints. From 2028, a ratio of 60 to 40 is planned.
To enable these changes without drastic adjustments to hardware or chassis, Formula 1 will limit the number of laps in the starting grid at certain tracks like Monza and, if necessary, shorten the race distance by one or two laps.
Pre-season testing for 2027 has also been extended from three to four days, “due to the overall complexity of the current generation of cars,” the FIA states.
“The FIA continues to monitor the development of the 2026 regulations and works closely with all key stakeholders in motorsport,” says President Mohammed bin Sulayem.
“As with any major regulation change, the process does not end when the cars first hit the track. Continuous dialogue and collaboration are crucial to ensure the regulations meet the needs of the sport, its drivers, and its fans.”
“Together, we are reviewing the future direction of the championship and how the sport can balance innovation, sustainability, performance, and appeal to fans in the coming years,” says bin Sulayem.