Formula 1 approves shorter races for 2027

The Formula 1 Commission has greenlit a proposal to shorten Grand Prix distances by 15 kilometers starting from the 2027 season, a move that aligns with the planned changes to the power units.

The decision, made during an F1 Commission meeting in London on Monday, will see the standard race distance reduced from 305 km to 290 km. The measure, which still awaits final approval from the FIA World Motor Sport Council, aims to cut costs associated with chassis modifications required to accommodate the new power distribution of the engines.

For 2027, a rebalancing of the formula had already been decided, with an increase in power from the internal combustion engine (ICE) and a reduction in energy supplied by the electrical components. The goal is to decrease levels of 'superclipping' and energy recovery during races.

Consequently, the ICE's power will rise to 420 kW, while the MGU-K's maximum output will be reduced to 300 kW, except in overtake mode, which will remain at 350 kW. To achieve this power increase in the combustion engine, the fuel flow has been increased by five percent.

Instead of increasing the fuel tank capacity to accommodate the higher flow rate, the FIA and FOM have opted to shorten the race distance. This solution minimizes the risk of drivers running out of fuel near the end. On most circuits, this will translate to a reduction of approximately three laps.

It is not yet clear if this shorter format will be maintained in 2028, when the engine regulations will be revised again. For that season, the ICE power is expected to increase to 450 kW, with a total 13 percent increase in fuel flow, which will require a larger fuel tank to create a 60/40 split between combustion and electric power.

The F1 Commission also proposed other changes, such as removing the maximum three-hour window for races interrupted by red flags. The two-hour effective race time limit will remain, but the three-hour window will be replaced by a fixed one-hour deadline for the event's conclusion, taking daylight into account. According to an FIA statement, "these changes have been introduced to ensure that spectators have the best possible opportunity to enjoy a full race in the event of interruptions."

The same statement reveals that F1 race directors will have more power to extend free practice sessions in case of long red flag periods. It's worth noting that the third practice session of the Spanish Grand Prix lost about 30 minutes due to incidents involving Lewis Hamilton, which required 25 minutes of barrier repairs, and Ollie Bearman.

Additionally, gearbox homologation will be abolished in 2027, allowing manufacturers to continue developing their transmissions into the next season. The document also anticipates other minor changes to the technical regulations for next year, as well as undisclosed modifications to the sporting and financial regulations for the current year.