Ben Sulayem: 2026 Regulations a new era for Formula 1

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem dubbed 2025 “a year of collaboration” and emphasised the growing strength of the global motor sport structure, while heralding the coming of Formula 1's new era.

The meeting, held during the FIA General Assemblies Week, gathered delegates from National Sporting Authorities around the world. At its core was grassroots development, described as the foundation without which the wider motor sport ecosystem “would cease to function”.

Ben Sulayem opened the final Council session of his first term by stating: “2025 has been a year of collaboration. It has been a year of growth and a year of development. Together we have strengthened our championships, and we go into the 2026 seasons with calendars that represent our global community.”

He added that his term had been marked by momentum and structural progress: “These have been years of momentum, purpose and delivery. New, historic agreements across our championships have unlocked fresh opportunities and strengthened the very foundations of our sport.

"We are engaging a wider global community welcoming new drivers, new talent, new fans, new volunteers, and new colleagues. Together, we remain focused on our mission: to deliver motor sport that is safe, inspiring, and sustainable. That continues to deliver for our future generations.”

The Council formally recognised the “fantastic spectacle” of the 2025 Formula 1 season, which featured a three-driver title fight that ran to the Abu Dhabi finale for the first time since 2010.

Ben Sulayem said: “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.

“The new technical regulations we have discussed and approved within this Council will deliver safe, sustainable, and thrilling racing. Thank you to all involved with this process that will drive Formula 1 into a new era.”

The FIA confirmed that the new 2026 Formula 1 Regulations are now structured across six sections: Section A General Regulatory Provisions, Section B Sporting Regulations, Section C Technical Regulations, Section D Financial Regulations for Teams, Section E Financial Regulations for Power Unit Manufacturers, and Section F Operational Regulations. The newly created Section A introduces a unified legal framework to prevent duplication or contradiction across all other texts.

Minor updates and clarifications across the remaining sections were also approved. Including, the number of points allocated to the IndyCar Series has been increased for positions from 3rd – 9th to reflect the growing significance of the category as a feeder series for Formula 1

Key sporting changes include the permanent end of dry tyre reinstatement rules during wet Sprint Qualifying, a temporary rise to sixty operational personnel for 2026 to help teams run the new generation of cars, simplified race suspension and restart procedures, and confirmation of a single pre season test from 2027.

Out of Competition Tyre Testing specifications have been updated for the 2026 car architecture, and FP1 at Sprint events may now be extended following red flag interruptions. Amendments were also made to Driver Adjustable Bodywork usage to align fully with the new Technical Regulations.

Technical refinements include updates to Article C3 covering deflection test procedures, along with adjustments to power unit rules to refine energy management systems ahead of the 2026 powertrain shift.