The FIA World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) concluded its final 2025 meeting on F1’s 2026 sporting regulations. Several regulatory updates were formalised to structure the upcoming 2026 F1 season and beyond. The decisions reflect a push for greater efficiency, safety and preparedness for the new generation of cars.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem acknowledged the intensity of the recently concluded 2025 championship. It was the first time since 2010 that three or more drivers had a shot at the title going into the last round.
He stated: “For the first time in 15 years, there was a three-way fight for the championship decided at the final race – and what a race it was. This year-long battle was a fitting end to the current regulations cycle, as we look forward to the significant changes that will come in 2026.”
Completing the 2026 rulebook
The most significant decision was the final approval of the F1 sporting regulatory framework for 2026.
The new structure of the regulations has been completed and is now split into sex comprehensive sections:
- General Regulatory Provisions,
- Sporting Regulations,
- Technical Regulations,
- Financial Regulations (for F1 Teams),
- Financial Regulations (for PU Manufacturers) and
- Operational Regulations.
Crucially, the WMSC approved the creation of a new Section A (General Regulatory Provisions). This was designed to streamline legal consistency across all other sections and avoid duplication or contradiction. This ensures a more rigorous legal framework.
Minor changes were also approved to the power unit regulations to refine energy management provisions. This especially aligns with the new 50/50 hybrid split.
Key sporting and operational amendments
The WMSC approved several sporting changes aimed at improving operational efficiency and addressing specific technical demands of the new 2026 cars.
In order to assist the teams in operating the complex new machinery, the operational personnel limit for 2026 will temporarily increase to 60. Additionally, the schedule was addressed as well. The return to a single pre-season test from 2027 onwards has been confirmed. Consequently, race suspension and resumption procedures have been simplified to improve efficiency and clarity.
Specific updates were also made concerning practice sessions and qualifying. The regulation stating that dry tyre limitations will no longer be removed when a Sprint Qualifying period is declared wet has been updated.
Furthermore, an allowance has been made for FP1 at a Sprint event to be extended following a red flag. This ensures competitors are afforded relevant practice time despite interruptions.
Finally, updates were made to the usage of Driver Adjustable Bodywork (SLM / CM). This was done to ensure congruity with the finalised Technical Regulations. The formal completion of the F1 2026 Sporting Regulations provides teams with the stability and clarity needed to finalise their development cycles for the radical technical changes ahead.
