The Formula 1® Commission has approved a reduction in race distances for the 2027 season, aligning with significant changes to power unit regulations. This adjustment aims to accommodate the revised technical specifications while maintaining race integrity and operational efficiency.
The decision, made during the September 2026 meeting and pending final approval from the FIA World Motor Sport Council, reduces the standard Grand Prix distance from 305 kilometres to 290 kilometres. This change corresponds with updates to the power units, which will see an increase in internal combustion engine (ICE) output alongside a reduction in electrical power delivery.
Specifically, the ICE power will rise to 420kW, while the maximum power output of the MGU-K will be lowered to 300kW, with a temporary boost mode allowing 350kW during overtaking. Despite a 5% increase in fuel flow, the fuel tank capacity will remain unchanged. To prevent fuel shortages during races, the shorter distance effectively reduces the number of laps by around three per event.
Looking ahead to 2028, further power unit changes are planned, including an increase in ICE power to 450kW and a larger fuel tank to accommodate a 13% rise in fuel flow. Alongside these technical updates, the three-hour maximum time limit for interrupted races will be replaced by a hard stop time, taking into account daylight conditions to ensure full race coverage.
Additional sporting adjustments include granting race directors greater authority to extend practice sessions following red flags and lifting gearbox homologation rules to allow ongoing transmission development from 2027. Minor technical, sporting, and financial regulation changes are also expected to accompany these updates in 2026 and 2027.
These measures reflect the sport’s efforts to balance performance enhancements with operational considerations, ensuring that the revised power units can be integrated effectively without compromising race duration or fuel management. All teams and drivers competing in the 2027 season will be subject to these regulations, which aim to maintain competitive fairness while adapting to evolving technical standards.
The Formula 1® Commission’s approval of shorter race distances is a clear response to the technical demands posed by the upcoming power unit changes. Pending the FIA World Motor Sport Council’s confirmation, these adjustments will shape the structure of races from 2027 onward, reflecting the ongoing evolution of the sport’s technical and sporting framework.