(Motorsport-Total.com) – The Formula 1 races are set to be shorter next year so that the teams can account for the changed ratio between electric power and the power of the combustion engine. This option has been on the table since the beginning of this season when the parties discussed adjustments to the technical regulations.
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At that time, however, it was assumed that only a few races would be affected. Instead, it has now been agreed to reduce the maximum distance of all Grands Prix from 305 km to 290 km. The Monaco Grand Prix, which has so far been limited to 260 km due to its special track layout, is also likely to be shortened.
According to Motorsport-Total.com, this proposal was presented to the teams by email last week and met with broad approval. However, ratification by the Motorsport World Council WMSC is still pending.
The background is widespread dissatisfaction with the current technical regulations, in which electric and combustion engines each contribute half of the total power. Since this concept was agreed upon without sufficient prior questioning, its implementation is overshadowed by unforeseen side effects.
The drivers dislike the unnatural driving style forced by the constant recovery and deployment of electric energy; the “jo-yo racing” caused by fluctuating battery charge levels is also not well received by those involved.
Enlarged tank poses problems
Although the officials have agreed to switch to a 60:40 ratio in favor of the combustion engine with increased flow volume for 2028, there will be an intermediate step of 58:42 in the coming season.
The reason for this: At the time of the decision, at least half of the teams planned to carry over their 2026 chassis, which would have made enlarging the fuel tank impractical.
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This argument dissolved into thin air when the teams realized that changes to the aerodynamic regulations would require new chassis designs anyway to remain competitive.
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Nevertheless, there are other reasons against expanding tank volumes too much: Weight remains a problem in Formula 1, even though the current generation of cars is already 30 kilograms lighter than the previous one.
Due to the shifted power distribution, a higher fuel flow was necessary to demand more power from the combustion engine. However, whoever consumes more fuel must either carry more of it or shorten the races.
Why now all races are to be shortened
Initial proposals focused on shortening only those races that are particularly fuel-critical, as well as limiting the number of laps the cars may complete before lining up on the grid.
However, it is said that a uniform shortening of all races was seen as the lesser evil. In particular, the rights holder has reacted very sensitively in the past to criticism of the new regulations.
Shortening individual races would have inevitably brought the necessity of this measure into the spotlight in the respective weekends’ coverage. This would have only given more room to the widespread view that the regulations are not practical.
Some purists may be appalled by the shortening of Grands Prix, but this concept is by no means new: As early as 1958, as part of a comprehensive package of rules that also included a ban on alcohol-based fuels, race distances were reduced from 500 kilometers or three hours to 300 kilometers and two hours.
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