Following the Japanese GP, the FIA is reportedly ready to tweak the 2026 regulations ahead of next season. Here’s why
The Japanese GP, the third round of the 2026 season, certainly delivered a level of excitement rarely seen at Suzuka in recent years. The battle for the podium and lead positions remained wide open from the first to the last lap, packed with overtakes and drama.
However, heavy criticism has rained down on the FIA from several drivers—led by Verstappen and Sainz—particularly following Oliver Bearman’s dangerous accident in the Haas during this morning’s race.
As the curtain falls on the Suzuka weekend, and with a month-long break ahead, the sport faces a period of necessary reflection. The FIA appears to be taking action to restore order, potentially considering a step backward.
The Rumors and Regulatory Adjustments
Starting this year, F1 cars feature a new power distribution between electric and thermal components in their Power Units. This unprecedented shift, despite harsh initial criticism, has produced significantly more overtaking than in 2025, but also greater technical reliability issues. A striking example was George Russell’s Mercedes, which suddenly lost power just before the “Spoon” curve, allowing Leclerc’s Ferrari to breeze past.
Beyond the imperative need for race and qualifying improvements, what truly alarmed the Federation was Bearman’s heavy crash. His Haas narrowly avoided a catastrophic collision with Colapinto’s Alpine, which had also—ironically—lost power just before the “Spoon.”
According to Planet F1’s Thomas Maher, this has prompted the FIA to consider extraordinary reflections on the 2026 regulations, with potential major revisions regarding the alternation between electric and thermal power.
The main goal is reportedly to drastically limit the phenomenon of “super clipping,” the primary cause of sudden car deceleration on track during both Saturday qualifying and Sunday’s race.
To achieve this, a revision of the PU power distribution ratio is essential. The thermal engine could regain a higher percentage than the current 50%, at the expense of the electric component.
It remains unclear when (or if) we will see this change in direction from the FIA, but the issue is certainly on Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s desk, as he remains the key figure shaping the trajectory of the 2026 and 2027 World Championships.
