FIA unveils 2026 Formula 1 regulation changes after latest Commission meeting

FIA unveils 2026 Formula 1 regulation changes after latest Commission meeting. The FIA announces several updates to the 2026 Formula 1 regulations.

The latest meeting of the Formula 1 Commission took place at the FIA headquarters in London, bringing a new series of updates to the 2026 regulations. Teams are already preparing for the upcoming season as the current championship enters its final stages, and the FIA has now confirmed several adjustments to both technical and sporting rules following the Commission’s most recent session. The gathering in London was chaired by Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and by Nikolas Tombazis, the FIA’s single-seater director.The Commission examined the much-discussed proposal of introducing two mandatory pit stops per race, as well as new considerations related to aerodynamic testing. Naturally, no changes were made to the design of the cars themselves, since all teams are already at an advanced stage of development ahead of the first pre-season tests in Barcelona at the end of January.

The topics discussed

The FIA formally announced the results of the fourth 2024 meeting of the Formula 1 Commission regarding the 2026 technical and sporting regulations. The first topic concerns the proposal to introduce two compulsory pit stops. That idea, along with the potential modification of tyre structures, has been postponed and will be reviewed again during the next season. This does not represent a rejection, but it means that teams and fans will need to wait longer for a definitive decision.

A second topic focused on the aerodynamic testing available to each team. The FIA confirmed that changes to the Aerodynamic Testing Restrictions (ATR) are under development in order to align Formula 1 with modern computational and simulation technologies while still maintaining cost control. This discussion relates to the rule that limits wind tunnel hours based on a team’s position in the Constructors’ Championship, with fewer hours allocated to teams higher in the standings, according f1ingenerale.

The FIA also introduced limits on the amount of unpainted carbon fibre allowed on the new cars. Teams will now be required to cover at least 55% of the car’s surface — evaluated from side and top views — with painted or adhesive livery elements rather than leaving exposed carbon-fibre areas. The concern was that teams might leave increasingly large areas unpainted in order to reduce weight, especially given the difficulty of initially meeting the new minimum weight limit.

The final point discussed involves the cooling systems available to drivers, which have already been tested this season during Grands Prix held in extreme temperatures. The FIA proposed updates to the current Driver Cooling System and to cooling garments, together with an increase in the allowed weight associated with the DCS. The Commission also discussed the potential mandatory introduction of this system starting from next year.