FIA explains next steps after first meeting to discuss fixes for 2026 F1 rules

The FIA said its first meeting to discuss changes to Formula 1’s new rules involved “constructive dialogue on difficult topics.”

The sport’s governing body outlined the next steps it will take as it considers potential changes to the rules ahead of the next round of the world championship.

Although the series planned to evaluate the impact of its rules overhaul early in the season, the cancellation of the fourth and fifth rounds have given it more time to consider solutions to the problems it has identified. It said today’s meeting, which included representatives of the teams and power unit manufacturers, considered a range of changes.

Several drivers expressed concerns over the potential for high closing speeds between cars which the FIA acknowledged was a factor in Oliver Bearman’s at Suzuka. Many have also voiced their displeasure at how qualifying has become less challenging due to the reduction in entry speeds to corners, and how energy management systems can wipe out the gains they make by increasing their cornering speeds.

The standard of racing has proved a divisive topic. Some drivers expressed dismay over the ease and frequency with which cars change positions, while others feel the racing is more spectacular now than before.

The FIA said any desire to preserve the current spectacle will be balanced against a need to make other changes. However it also indicated that getting teams to agree on changes will be difficult as the most competitive teams will be reluctant to sacrifice their advantage.

“It was generally agreed that although the events to date have provided exciting racing, there was a commitment to making tweaks to some aspects of the regulations in the area of energy management,” said the FIA in a statement. “There was constructive dialogue on difficult topics especially when considering the competitive nature of the stakeholders.”

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Two further meetings – a Sporting Regulations discussion on April 15th and a further technical session the following day – will take place before a crunch meeting to agree on any changes on April 20th. Any alterations to the rules will have to be approved by the World Motor Sport Council for them to take effect prior to the next round of the world championship, May’s Miami Grand Prix.

FIA statement on March 9th meeting

The first of a series of meetings to discuss potential changes to the 2026 Formula 1 regulations was convened today by the FIA.

Today’s meeting, between the FIA and technical experts from the teams and power unit manufacturers, covered a raft of topics as part of the natural evolution of the 2026 F1 technical and sporting regulations.

It was generally agreed that although the events to date have provided exciting racing, there was a commitment to making tweaks to some aspects of the regulations in the area of energy management. There was constructive dialogue on difficult topics especially when considering the competitive nature of the stakeholders.

It was agreed earlier in the year by all parties that this sequence of meetings would take place following the first three races of the 2026 Formula 1 season. The scheduling was timed so that sufficient technical data could be gathered in advance of any discussions.

As part of the round of collaborative discussions, further meetings are planned over the coming fortnight. There is a Sporting Regulations meeting on April 15th during which any changes in Section B that are required to facilitate the technical changes will be discussed.

The next technical session will be on April 16th during which points discussed today will be followed up and new topics will be given exposure.

A high-level meeting with representation from all stakeholders is scheduled for April 20th where it is anticipated that preferred options jointly proposed by the technical teams will be considered and a consensus sought on the way forward.

The 2026 regulations were developed and agreed in close partnership with teams, OEMs, Power Unit Manufacturers, the commercial rights holder and the FIA all at the table. It is in this spirit of collaboration that potential changes are being discussed.

Any changes to the regulations will be subject to the FIA WMSC approval process.

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