Formula 1 confirms rule tweaks in time for Miami Grand Prix - ESPN
Formula 1 has agreed to a set of rule tweaks to address concerns about its controversial new cars ahead of the Miami Grand Prix on May 3.
www.espn.co.ukThe latest news is that Formula 1 has agreed a package of rule tweaks that will take effect at the Miami Grand Prix weekend, mainly to make qualifying feel more “flat out” and to improve safety in races. The biggest changes focus on energy management, especially how much electrical power can be recovered and deployed.[2][7]
What changed
- Qualifying energy recovery is being tightened: the maximum permitted recharge is being reduced from 8MJ to 7MJ.[5][7]
- Peak “super-clipping” power is being increased from 250kW to 350kW, and that also applies in race conditions.[1][7]
- In races, the boost power is capped at +150kW, which is meant to reduce abrupt performance swings.[7][2]
- MGU-K deployment stays at 350kW in key acceleration and overtaking zones, but is limited to 250kW elsewhere.[7]
Why FIA changed it
The FIA says the aim is to reduce excessive closing speeds, keep overtaking possible, and preserve overall performance characteristics. The changes also respond to driver and team concerns that the new 2026 cars were too management-heavy, especially in qualifying and in safety-critical situations.[3][4][2]
Miami timing
Most of the changes are set to come into force from Miami, while the race-start measures will be tested there first and then reviewed after feedback. The Miami GP is scheduled for May 1-3, 2026, and is a Sprint weekend.[7]
Practical impact
In plain terms, drivers should need less lift-and-coast, qualifying should be more push-to-the-limit, and the car behavior should be a bit less erratic at high speed. The FIA and teams still describe these as tweaks rather than a full rewrite, and broader 2027 rule changes may still be on the table.[2][3]