Proposed changes to ICE/Electric split ratified as F1 gets an extra day of pre-season testing and reintroduction of poor visibility boost mode

The World Motor Sport Council has held its mid-2026 meeting during the FIA Conference in Macau today, and other than Formula E and WRC, a number of updates to the 2026 Sporting, Technical and Financial Regulations were confirmed, in addition to various clarifications and minor corrections.

These include:

The declaration of a Heat Hazard may now be split between Sprint and Race. A Heat Hazard will still be declared, for Sprint, Race or both, 24 hours prior to the start of the Competition.

In low grip conditions when the track is wet and there is poor visibility boost mode has been reintroduced but is restricted to preventing power reduction without increasing output, while the overtake function will be disabled. These changes have been made for safety reasons.

From 2027, the duration of pre-season Testing has been increased from three to four days, owing to the general complexity of the current generation of cars.

The first issue of the 2027 Technical Regulations has been approved with a broad set of structural, wording, and targeted technical updates that improve clarity, consistency, and enforceability while incorporating key learnings from the 2026 season.

Also approved were measures relating to power unit supply, management of reconnaissance laps and race distances at selected circuits and financial regulatory changes linked to amendments to the technical and sporting package for 2027-28.

Finally, the World Motor Sport Council has ratified the proposed changes to rebalance the contribution of the Internal Combustion Engine and Energy Recovery System contribution across the 2027 and 2028 seasons. Updates include targeted adjustments to internal combustion engine output, fuel energy flow and energy recovery system deployment, together with increased flexibility in energy management.


ICE	2026	2027	2028
Max Power	400kW	420kW	450kW
Fuel Flow Increase		5%	13%


MGUK	2026	2027	2028
Max Power	350kW	300kW	300kW
Max Power Overtake Mode	350kW	350kW	350kW
Max Harvesting Power	350kW	375kW	400kW


	2026	2027	2028
Power Split ICE/MGUK	53/47	58/42	60/40

"The FIA continues to oversee the evolution of the 2026 Regulations and work closely with all key stakeholders across the motorsport community," said FIA president, Mohammed ben Sulayem.

"As with every major regulatory change, the process does not end when the cars first take to the track. Continuous dialogue and collaboration are essential to ensuring that the regulations meet the needs of the sport, its drivers, and its fans. Together we are exploring the future direction of the championship and considering how the sport can balance innovation, sustainability, performance and fan appeal in the years ahead.

"The discussions around future power unit concepts, including V8 engines powered by sustainable fuels, demonstrate the willingness of all parties to engage in shaping the next chapter of the sport."