FIA approves extra Formula 1 testing day and engine rule changes for 2027-28

The sport's governing body confirmed the decisions following a meeting of the World Motor Sport Council in Macau on Tuesday.

Teams currently receive three days of pre-season testing, but that allocation will increase to four days from 2027. The FIA said the extra running reflects the complexity of the new generation of Formula 1 cars and power units introduced under the 2026 regulations.

The World Motor Sport Council also ratified previously proposed changes designed to rebalance the contribution of the internal combustion engine and energy recovery system across the 2027 and 2028 seasons.

According to the FIA, the updates include adjustments to internal combustion engine output, fuel energy flow and energy recovery system deployment, together with greater flexibility in energy management strategies.

The revisions come after widespread concerns from drivers and teams during the opening months of the 2026 season. Several drivers complained that the new power units required excessive energy management, forcing them to lift and coast more frequently and creating racing situations they considered artificial.

The FIA said the changes are intended to allow drivers to spend more time at full throttle, particularly during qualifying sessions, while reducing the amount of energy management required during races.

The governing body believes the measures will improve the sporting spectacle and address concerns that the current balance between electrical and combustion power has negatively affected racing and safety.

The revised regulations will apply from the 2027 season, with further adjustments planned for 2028 as Formula 1 continues to refine its next-generation power unit formula, after a disappointing start to the new era for drivers and fans alike.