Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls, Yas Marina, 2025 pre-season test

The FIA has confirmed temporary rules changes for the 2026 Formula 1 season due to the new regulations being introduced next year.

The maximum number of staff members teams may bring into the circuit will temporarily increase from 58 to 60 next year. A statement issued by the sport’s governing body said this was being done “to ensure teams can operate the new generation of cars effectively.”

Next year’s increase in pre-season testing will also be a one-off, the FIA confirmed. Teams have previously had just one test session before the start of recent seasons.

They will be able to participate in three separate tests in 2026, one at the Circuit de Catalunya in January and two at the Bahrain International Circuit in February. However the FIA noted “the return to single pre-season test from 2027 onwards has been confirmed.”

The changes were approved by the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council this week. They now require ratification by the F1 Commission.

The WMSC also agreed other revisions to F1’s regulations to come into force alongside next year’s sweeping changes to the technical rules. These include updates to the function of the new driver-adjustable bodywork in ‘straight-line mode’ (when wing angles can be lowered) and ‘cornering mode’ (when they are raised). The rules on tyre testing have also been revised to take next year’s car changes into account.

Revised rules on sprint race weekends will apply from next year. The race director will gain the power to extend the first practice session at sprint events if it is interrupted by a red flag. The restrictions on tyre use during qualifying sessions for sprint races “will no longer be removed when a period of sprint qualifying is declared wet,” added the FIA.

The FIA has also simplified the rules on race suspensions and restarts, which were extensively revised last year. The 2026 rule books have been rewritten and organised into six sections: General Regulatory Provisions (section A), Sporting Regulations (B), Technical Regulations (C), Financial Regulations for F1 Teams (D), Financial Regulations for [power unit] Manufacturers (E) and Operational Regulations (F).

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