The governing body of Formula 1, the FIA, has published the results of its World Motor Sports Council meeting, which details immediate rule changes in F1.
The main takeaways from the summary of today’s meeting, which was hosted by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, is changes to several technical processes regarding upgraded power unit changes and pre-race fuel temperature checks.
Power units may now be switched for an upgraded version in parc ferme conditions, which on the face of it opens up new opportunities for tactical power unit changes when grid penalties are or are not being applied. Temporary repairs are also permitted within limits.
In the wake of Aston Martin’s crisis in Miami, and the Red Bull and AlphaTauri’s panicked rush to leave the pit lane to get to the Spanish GP grid, fuel will now be permitted to rise in temperature further – from 15 degrees celsius to 20 degrees celsius, but only at the “hotter” races. What temperature is defined in this way exactly is as yet unclear.
The fuel temperature limit was previously defined as the value 10 degrees below the ambient temperature an hour before practice or qualifying, and two hours before the start of a race. Changes have also been made to the FIA’s deflection tests in areas of the rear wing assembly, and, to improve rear visibility, updates to the “regulations regarding mirrors” have been introduced.
This is most likely a greater strength in the mirror support between the top of the sidepod and the mirror case, in order to reduce the vibration in the mirror itself. The next WMSC meeting is scheduled for October, with the 2026 power unit regulations set to be introduced before then. These rules were a topic of today’s meeting, the last before the official announcement is made later in the year.
Ben Sulayem thanked members who attended the meeting in Paris, and stated the importance of planning “the way forward” with both sustainability and tackling discrimination playing a major role. “The World Motor Sport Council gathered in Paris to discuss a number of topics as we plan the way forward for the organisation, in the framework of our new governance approach,” Ben Sulayem’s statement read.
“We continue to push forward on sustainability, towards our target of net-zero emissions in 2030. Members approved a new FIA Anti-Harassment and Non-discrimination Policy which reaffirms a zero-tolerance approach towards harassment and any form of discrimination. I want to thank the members for their ongoing efforts in laying out a path for the organisation to meet its long-term objectives.”
Sporting and Technical Regulations Changes Summary:
- The regulations governing car limitations during tyre testing have been updated.
- The timing of the official pre-event media activities for Drivers has been updated. This activity will now take place within a two-hour window, 23 hours prior to the scheduled start of Free Practice 1.
- Deflection tests for Rear Wing Mainplane Trailing Edge and Beam Wing Flexibility have been updated.
- Fuel will now be permitted to be chilled to 20°C at hotter races. The temperature reference will be taken one hour in advance of the session.
- Regulations regarding mirrors have been updated to allow greater rearward visibility
- An update has been made allowing a Power Unit to be replaced in Parc Fermé with one of a newer specification.
- A provision has been made to allow for temporary repairs to be made to Power Units.
The World Council was given an update on the progress of the 2026 Power Unit Regulations, which are due to be finalised and presented before the next World Motor Sport Council meeting, following considerable work and consultation between the FIA, Formula 1, the incumbent Power Unit manufacturers and potential newcomers.