During the meeting of the FIA World Motor Sport Council, the following were announced: radical changes to the regulation of F1, including technical, sporting and financial changes for both 2026 and the immediate future: the elimination of the additional point for the fastest lap immediately catches the eye.
F1 2026 Regulatory News
I Formula 1 regulatory changes for 2026 mark a major transition into a new technological and financial era. The technical package will introduce significant aerodynamic innovations to improve performance, while ensuring closer racing thanks to more effective slipstream management. One of the most significant innovations will be the introduction of differentiated aerodynamic modes: the low-drag “straight mode” and the high-downforce “curve mode”, designed to enhance competition without sacrificing safety.
On the sporting side, the update includes new power unit energy management and a greater emphasis on aerodynamic efficiency. Energy management systems and movable aerodynamic components, such as the rear wing, will be adjusted to optimise the balance between top speed and cornering handling. Three three-day pre-season tests will also be introduced to allow teams to adapt to the new power units.
From a financial perspective, the regulation will maintain a similar spending cap to the current one, but with simplifications and a greater focus on monitoring compliance. The new rules aim to ensure fair competition, taking into account inflation and rising operating costs, without compromising the financial stability of the teams.
What's new from 2025
If in 2026 there will be a radical change in F1, following the one in 2022, interesting changes will be seen already next year. Starting from 2025, in fact, the teams will have to change their strategies taking into account that there will no longer be the additional point for the fastest laps and young people will have more chances to get on the track.
Rookie on track 2 times in free practice
The decision to increase the mandatory rookie practice appearances from one to two represents a significant step towards the development of young drivers in Formula 1. This change will allow teams to spend more time testing new talent, giving them the opportunity to gain experience and familiarise themselves with the current cars in competitive settings.
The initiative aims to facilitate a smoother transition to F1 for future generations of drivers, ensuring greater turnover and a more structured integration of new arrivals.
Goodbye extra point: fastest laps no longer count
Of particular importance in terms of championships is the elimination, starting from 2025, of the additional point for the fastest lap. This change generates a reflection on the weight that even a single point can have in a Formula 1 season. Just think of the case of Daniel Ricciardo in Singapore Grand Prix, where, with his fastest lap, he took the extra point away from Lando Norris, potentially influencing the final championship standings.
In a balanced season, every point can be decisive in determining the world champion. In recent years, the points awarded for fastest laps have been the subject of much discussion, as they can determine crucial differences in the overall standings. A single lap can in fact overturn the outcome of a race and even an entire season. The most striking example is that of 2008, when Lewis Hamilton won the world title by a single point. In an increasingly competitive modern Formula 1, these details can make the difference between glory and disappointment.
The decision to remove this additional point marks a significant shift in the way teams will approach strategy. Until now, the fastest lap has been one of many tactical cards played by teams and drivers, especially in the final stages of a race. However, the FIA, as part of a broader restructuring plan for the future of the sport, has decided to focus more on regulations that promote direct competition rather than favoring strategies exclusively linked to ancillary prizes.
This decision is part of a broad reform plan that will make Formula 1 safer, more technologically advanced and more balanced on the track from 2026. The aim is to reduce the importance of secondary elements that, although exciting, can negatively influence a championship. The overall objective is to maintain sporting and industrial relevance, aligning the development of cars with automotive market trends and promoting sustainability and safety.
This will ensure more balanced, innovative and competitive competitions, supporting the sport in the long term.
