F1 | In 2026 the red flag rule also changes: all the updates
After Tuesday’s final test in Abu Dhabi, Formula 1 has officially closed its on-track activities for 2025 — at least on the circuit. Behind the scenes, however, 2026 is coming far quicker than it may appear. During the final World Motor Sport Council meeting of the year, the definitive regulations that will shape the next era of F1 were formally approved.
Among the updates included in the latest regulatory package is the confirmation that, in the event of a red flag during a Sprint weekend, the FP1 session may be extended. This change gives teams the chance to regain lost track time before the Parc Fermé rules take effect, which prevent further changes to the car setup.
Until the 2025 season, the session clock continued ticking even during stoppages, meaning that a red flag could seriously compromise the preparation of teams and drivers for the rest of the weekend. This is exactly what happened in the only FP1 sessions at this year’s Miami Grand Prix and the United States Grand Prix in Austin, both halted by red flags.
The new rule states that an extension may only be granted if the suspension occurs before the 45th minute of the session. In such cases, the race director will have the authority to extend the session at their discretion, ensuring the full 60 minutes of running. This measure will apply exclusively to Sprint weekends, while traditional race weekends will remain unchanged.
There is a new framework of general regulations
During the World Council meeting, the FIA also approved the complete regulatory framework that will redefine the approach to power units, chassis, aerodynamics and the integration between these areas. The new rules are divided into six separate sections: the sporting, technical and operational regulations, followed by two financial regulations — one for teams and one for power unit manufacturers, both required to respect the annual budget limits.
Alongside the five established sections, a sixth one has been introduced, called “Section A”. It contains general provisions intended to serve as a unified legal framework, ensuring consistency across the various areas and preventing contradictions or overlaps. Its structure will be more rigorous, inspired by the financial regulations, and written with more precise language.
The FIA does not expect the grid to be as tightly packed as it was this past season, when three drivers battled for the world title until the final race. Nevertheless, the hope is that the new rulebook — designed around manufacturers and more strongly oriented toward sustainability — will deliver solid competition and spectacle, ushering Formula 1 into a new era.
“For the first time in 15 years, there was a three-way fight for the title decided at the final race. And what a race it was. This year-long battle was the perfect conclusion to the current technical cycle, as we now look forward with excitement to the major changes coming in 2026,” said FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who is expected to be re-elected.
“The new technical regulations we have discussed and approved within this Council will ensure safe, sustainable and spectacular racing. Thanks to everyone who has contributed to this process, which will bring Formula 1 into a new era.”
Other regulatory changes for 2026
Alongside the announcement of the new general regulation framework, the FIA has confirmed additional updates to rules that were already known. For example, regarding the sporting regulations, during Sprint Qualifying there will no longer be a removal of the dry-tyre limitations if the track is declared wet. This means that even if the circuit dries, teams must still use only the prescribed tyres in each phase — medium tyres for SQ1 and SQ2, and soft tyres for SQ3. This ensures consistency and prevents teams from running out of tyres for the final segment.
Furthermore, to make it easier for teams to manage the new generation of cars on track, the operational personnel limit will temporarily be increased to 60 staff members in 2026. The procedures for suspending and resuming a race have been simplified, while from 2027 the sport will return to a single pre-season test, in line with cost-control principles. Only for 2026 will there be three sessions, one of which will take place behind closed doors.
On the technical side, the FIA has clarified the procedures concerning flexi-tests, eliminating potential grey areas in interpretation. Some articles have also been revised regarding energy management for the power units.
With these changes now set in stone, teams can finalise their 2026 projects knowing exactly what the rulebook demands when the first cars hit the track in Barcelona this January.
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