F1 to make rule changes from next race in Miami after engine concerns

SportsF1 to make rule changes from next race in Miami after engine concernsBy Reuters -Apr 21, 2026Formula One teams and stakeholders agreed ​unanimously on Monday to engine rule tweaks aimed at improving the racing and driver safety ‌from the next race in Miami on May 3. The sport this season started a new era, with the hybrid power units now split roughly 50-50 between electric and combustion power. Some drivers have complained over the first three races about having ​to ‘lift and coast’ into high-speed corners so the combustion engine can recharge the battery, and ​have aired safety concerns regarding the start and speed differentials during the race. They have also had ⁠to contend with ‘super-clipping’ where the power unit automatically diverts energy from the engine to the battery, slowing ​down the car even if the driver is flat on the throttle. Red Bull’s four-times world champion Max Verstappen has ​questioned his future in the sport. The governing International Automobile Federation (FIA) said in a statement, opens new tabthat an online meeting with the 11 team bosses, power unit CEOs and Formula One had agreed a number of in-season “refinements” that would now be put to a ​virtual vote. “The proposals agreed today… will be implemented from Miami apart from the race start changes that ​will be tested in Miami and adopted following feedback and analysis,” it said. More consistent flat-out driving The FIA said energy management ‌parameters ⁠would be adjusted for qualifying, a key area of concern, with a reduction in maximum permitted recharge from eight megajoules to seven to encourage more consistent flat-out driving and peak ‘superclip’ power increased from 250kW to 350kW to reduce the time spent recharging. In the race, measures were introduced to reduce excessive closing speeds and ​limit sudden performance differentials ​with the maximum power ⁠available through boost capped at an additional 150kW. A new system has been developed and will be trialled to...