On Tuesday, the FIA World Motor Sport Council ratified several rule changes for Formula 1 for 2027, as well as two safety adjustments effective as early as 2026
Formula 1 will partially reintroduce Boost Mode for the remainder of the 2026 season for safety reasons, after the FIA World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) confirmed a series of regulation changes.
Earlier this year, the FIA had prohibited drivers from using Boost Mode in wet conditions after drivers pointed out that the enormous increase in torque would pose a safety risk, especially since the 2026-generation cars are already difficult to drive in the wet even without the sudden surge in power.
The FIA has now made a further adjustment and reintroduced boost mode, at least partially, though only to maintain power during deceleration on the straights without increasing overall power. This is intended to further reduce approach speeds in conditions of poor visibility.
In its WMSC report, the FIA explains: “In low-grip conditions, when the track is wet and visibility is poor, Boost Mode has been reintroduced; however, it is limited to preventing power drops without increasing power, while the overtaking function is deactivated. These changes were made for safety reasons.”
Another minor adjustment: In the future, the declaration of a “Heat Hazard” warning will be split between the Sprint and the main race, so that it can apply to only one of the two if necessary.
“The declaration of a heat warning can now be split between the Sprint and the race. A heat warning will continue to be issued 24 hours before the start of the event for the Sprint, the race, or both,” the statement reads.
The measure requires drivers to either wear mandatory cooling vests or carry additional ballast weight.
Further changes for 2027 formally confirmed
The Council, which met in Macau, also formally ratified further technical and sporting changes for 2027 and beyond that had been agreed upon by Formula 1 stakeholders in recent weeks.
For 2027, Formula 1 is switching to a 58-to-42 ratio between internal combustion power and electric power to further optimize racing following complaints from drivers. Starting in 2028, a 60-to-40 ratio is planned.
To enable these changes without drastic adjustments to hardware or the chassis, Formula 1 will limit the number of laps on the starting grid at certain tracks, such as Monza, and, if necessary, shorten the race distance by one or two laps.
Pre-season testing for 2027 has also been extended from three to four days, “due to the overall complexity of the current generation of cars,” the FIA announced.
“The FIA continues to monitor the development of the 2026 regulations and is working closely with all key stakeholders in motorsport,” said President Mohammed bin Sulayem.
“As with any major regulation change, the process does not end when the cars first take to the track. Continuous dialogue and collaboration are crucial to ensuring that the regulations meet the needs of the sport, its drivers, and its fans.”
“Together, we are examining the future direction of the championship and how the sport can balance innovation, sustainability, performance, and fan appeal in the coming years,” said bin Sulayem.
