Regulations / TIMELINE The biggest rule changes, year by year · 2018 → 2026
TECHNICAL Power Unit — 50/50 hybrid, no MGU-H VIEW MGU-H removed — simpler ERS with MGU-K as the sole recovery motor. Electrical output increased dramatically, moving toward a 50/50 split. Fuel flow limit converted from mass-based to energy-based (MJ/h). Power-unit cost cap introduced, separate from the team cost cap. New manufacturers Audi and Cadillac supply grids from 2026 onwards. TECHNICAL ERS — deployment & recharge limits VIEW Per-lap MGU-K recharge cap: 7 MJ (reduced from the original 8 MJ at Miami 2026). MGU-K deployment: 350 kW peak in acceleration zones, 250 kW elsewhere. Energy store usable capacity: ~4 MJ per lap. Boost override capped at +150 kW above current output. Fuel flow metered in MJ/h rather than mass flow rate. TECHNICAL 100% sustainable fuel VIEW Fuel must be produced from fully sustainable sources — no fossil components permitted. Fuel flow control migrates from mass-based (kg/h) to energy-based (MJ/h). Pre-event fuel sampling and certification required. TECHNICAL Chassis — smaller, lighter, narrower VIEW Minimum weight reduced by ~30 kg versus 2025. Wheelbase and overall width trimmed to improve agility. Crash structures re-engineered for the new PU architecture. TECHNICAL Active aerodynamics — driver-switched modes VIEW DRS retired — replaced by driver-activated active aero available lap-wide. Rear and front wing flaps move synchronously between two fixed positions. Overtaking now relies on battery deployment strategy rather than DRS zones. SPORTING Grid expansion — 22 cars VIEW Grid size 20 → 22 cars (Cadillac added). Q1 elimination threshold updated to match the larger grid. Pit-lane configuration revised to host 22 cars safely. SPORTING Power-unit component pool VIEW Higher per-component pool for 2026 only, stepping back to 2025 levels from 2027. SPORTING Tyre allocation — adapted to 2026 cars VIEW Slightly fewer dry sets per weekend (sustainability continuation). Alternative Tyre Allocation (ATA) becomes permanent on all sprint weekends. SPORTING Race weekend format VIEW Format unchanged from 2025. Fastest-lap point stays retired after its 2024 removal. SPORTING Cost cap adjustments VIEW Team cost cap continues with annual inflation adjustment. Power-unit cost cap temporarily relaxed for 2026 only. Aerodynamic Testing Restriction (ATR) sliding scale continues. TECHNICAL Chassis & aero — continuity from 2024 VIEW Front-wing flexibility tests tightened once more. Minor floor-edge clarifications for porpoising control. SPORTING Fastest-lap point retired VIEW Fastest-lap bonus point removed; fastest lap still logged statistically. TECHNICAL Chassis & aero — stability year VIEW Front-wing and rear-wing flex policing tightened mid-season via Technical Directives. Minor floor-edge refinements continuing the 2022+2023 porpoising-mitigation line. SPORTING Race format & tyre allocation VIEW No step change to the 2-compound rule or Pirelli allocation sizes vs 2023. TECHNICAL Floor & diffuser — porpoising mitigation VIEW Raised floor-edge height vs 2022. Tightened diffuser throat geometry. Aerodynamic Oscillation Metric threshold policed in-event. Strengthened roll-hoop structural test post-Silverstone 2022. Larger mirror minimum dimensions for improved rearward vision. SPORTING Sprint weekend — redesigned format VIEW Sprint Shootout introduced on Saturday morning. Sprint result decoupled from Sunday grid. Six sprint events on the calendar (up from three in 2022). TECHNICAL Ground effect — underfloor venturi VIEW Return to ground-effect underfloor aerodynamics (first time since the 1980s). Simplified front and rear wings designed to trail cleaner wake. TECHNICAL Power unit — architecture retained, development frozen VIEW PU development freeze 2022-2025. E10 fuel (10% ethanol) introduced. SPORTING Calendar, entries & points VIEW Sprint points expanded to P1-P8 (from P1-P3 in 2021). Sliding scale for shortened-race points introduced. TECHNICAL Rear-end downforce cut VIEW Triangular floor cut-out ahead of rear tyre. Brake-duct fin restrictions. SPORTING Sprint-race trial VIEW Sprint format introduced at three events. Sprint winner scored the pole-position statistic for the grand prix. SPORTING Cost cap — debut year VIEW First season under the constructors' cost cap. Minor vs Material Overspend breach categories defined. TECHNICAL Fuel allocation & minimum weight VIEW Race fuel allowance raised. Minimum weight raised. SPORTING Fastest-lap bonus point returns VIEW Fastest-lap 1-point bonus reintroduced (first time since 1959). TECHNICAL Halo — mandatory head-protection device VIEW Halo mandated on all F1 cars. Max car width 1800mm → 2000mm. Wider front wing, lower/wider rear wing. Wider tyres (305/405 front/rear). TECHNICAL Virtual Safety Car introduced VIEW Virtual Safety Car (VSC) introduced. TECHNICAL Turbo-hybrid era begins VIEW V8 2.4L replaced by V6 1.6L turbo-hybrid. MGU-K 120 kW + MGU-H introduced. Fuel-flow limit 100 kg/h + race fuel 100 kg. DRS introduced with 1-second gap rule and designated zones. Pirelli replaces Bridgestone as sole tyre supplier. TECHNICAL Refuelling banned VIEW In-race refuelling banned (end of 1994-2009 refuelling era). SPORTING Points: 25-18-15-... top 10 VIEW Points scale 25-18-15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1 (top 10). KERS introduced (optional): 60 kW / 6.67 s / 400 kJ per lap. Slicks return (end of 1998-2008 grooved era). Aero reset: narrower rear wing, wider front wing, driver-adjustable front flap. TECHNICAL Standard ECU mandated VIEW Standard ECU mandated (McLaren MES-based). TECHNICAL V8 2.4L era begins VIEW V8 2.4L mandatory (replacing V10 3.0L). TECHNICAL Knockout qualifying (Q1/Q2/Q3) VIEW Three-part knockout qualifying (Q1/Q2/Q3) introduced. TECHNICAL No tyre changes during race VIEW No tyre changes during the race (one set for quali + race). Engines had to last two race weekends. TECHNICAL One engine per weekend VIEW One engine per race weekend; 10-place grid penalty if changed. TECHNICAL Parc fermé introduced VIEW Parc fermé — locked setup between qualifying and race. SPORTING Points extended to top 8 VIEW Points expanded to top 8: 10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1. SPORTING Single-lap qualifying VIEW Single-lap qualifying (one timed lap per driver). TECHNICAL Traction control re-legalised (mid-season) VIEW Traction control re-legalised from Spanish GP 2001. Launch control re-legalised. V10 mandatory; V8 and V12 banned. TECHNICAL Front tyre goes to 4 grooves VIEW Front tyre grooves: 3 → 4 (matching the rear). TECHNICAL Narrower cars — 1800mm max width VIEW Maximum car width: 2000mm → 1800mm. TECHNICAL Grooved dry tyres introduced VIEW 3 grooves front, 4 grooves rear mandated on dry tyres. TECHNICAL Larger cockpit + wheel tethers VIEW Mandatory wheel-tether cables on all four corners. Larger cockpit opening + higher side protection. SPORTING 12-lap qualifying limit VIEW 12 timed-lap limit per car per qualifying session. TECHNICAL Engine displacement cut to 3.0L VIEW Engine displacement cap: 3.5L → 3.0L. TECHNICAL Electronic aids banned VIEW Active suspension banned. Traction control, ABS and launch control banned. Power steering and 4-wheel steering banned. TECHNICAL In-race refuelling revived VIEW In-race refuelling permitted for the first time since 1983. TECHNICAL Post-Imola safety package VIEW Wooden skid block ('plank') mandated — enforces minimum ride height via post-race wear check. Raised cockpit side protection. Pit-lane speed limit introduced. Reduced diffuser surface area. SPORTING End of pre-qualifying VIEW Pre-qualifying session retired after the 1992 Mexican GP. SPORTING End of dropped scores + 10 points for a win VIEW All 16 results now count (end of dropped scores). Win worth 10 points (up from 9). TECHNICAL Turbo ban — atmospheric 3.5L era begins VIEW Turbochargers banned entirely. 3.5L naturally-aspirated engines mandatory. No fuel-consumption limit. TECHNICAL Final turbo year — 2.5 bar + 150L VIEW Turbo boost: 4.0 bar → 2.5 bar. Turbo race fuel: 195L → 150L. TECHNICAL 4-bar turbo boost limit VIEW 4.0-bar turbo boost limit enforced by standardised pop-off valve. TECHNICAL Atmospheric 3.0L eliminated — turbo-only field VIEW Atmospheric 3.0L engines no longer permitted — turbo-only field. TECHNICAL Fuel limit cut to 195L VIEW Race fuel allowance: 220L → 195L. TECHNICAL Refuelling banned VIEW In-race refuelling banned (reversing the 1983 rule). TECHNICAL Turbo 220-litre fuel limit VIEW 220-litre fuel cap applied to turbo cars only (no cap on atmospheric). TECHNICAL Flat bottom — the end of ground effect VIEW Flat-bottom mandate ended the venturi-tunnel era. Cornering downforce fell roughly 30% overnight. TECHNICAL In-race refuelling revived VIEW In-race refuelling permitted for the first time since the early 1970s. SPORTING Points & dropped scores VIEW Drivers' championship used best 11 of 15 results (retained from prior seasons). Items pulled directly from the `key_changes` blocks of each summary. Source summaries are marked UNVERIFIED pending cross-check against the official FIA PDFs.
