FIA have amended the rule regarding energy management within power unit regulations for F1’s qualifying session at 2026 Japanese Grand Prix.
Teams had previously been required to run the maximum permitted energy recharge at 9 megajoules in Qualifying for Australian and Chinese Grands Prix, which had left drivers lifting and coasting on the straights to recharge their battery rather than go flat out.
Driver criticism prompted the FIA to meet with all 11 teams plus power unit suppliers; Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull Ford, Audi and Honda to discuss how to address the issue.
All parties ‘unanimously agreed’ that a reduction to 8 megajoules was in the sport’s interest for the Japanese GP’s qualifying session,
The FIA, all 11 Formula 1 teams and the Power Unit manufacturers held talks regarding energy deployment following feedback from the drivers after the first two Grand Prix weekends of the season.
In a statement confirming the tweak, the FIA explained that the tweak is designed to ensure that Qualifying is a performance-related test for teams and drivers, and forms part of evolving “optimisation” of the new regulations.
“This adjustment reflects feedback from drivers and teams, who have emphasised the importance of maintaining Qualifying as a performance challenge.
“The FIA notes that the first events under the 2026 Regulations have been operationally successful, and this targeted refinement is part of the normal process of optimisation as the new regulatory framework is further validated in real-world conditions.
“The FIA, together with F1 teams and Power Unit Manufacturers, continues to embrace evolutions to energy management, with further discussions scheduled in the coming weeks.”