Full Breakdown
FIA Extends Miami GP Free Practice 1 to 90 Minutes as 2026 Rule Tweaks Take Effect
4/24/2026, 11:53:40 AM
Core Event: Extended FP1 and Technical Adjustments for Miami
The FIA announced that the sole Free Practice 1 (FP1) session at the Miami Grand Prix on 1 May will run from 12:00 to 13:30 local time, increasing the duration from 60 to 90 minutes. The change follows a series of regulatory refinements to the 2026 Formula 1 package, which will be applied from the Miami weekend onward.
Background: Early-Season Driver Discontent with 2026 Regulations
Since the start of the 2026 season, drivers have criticised the new energy-management rules. Max Verstappen labelled the package “fundamentally wrong” and “anti-racing” during pre-season testing, while Sebastian Vettel warned that the regulations have stripped qualifying of its “special feeling.” Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri echoed similar concerns, noting that mistakes are sometimes rewarded by battery-harvest penalties rather than driver skill.
Key Figures & Perspectives
- FIA – Single-Seater Director Nikolas Tombazis and President Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
- Drivers – Max Verstappen (Red Bull), Sebastian Vettel (four-time champion), Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris (McLaren).
- Stakeholders – Formula 1 management, team principals, power-unit manufacturers.
Data & Statistics: Specific Technical Changes
- Maximum energy recharge per qualifying lap reduced from 8 MJ to 7 MJ.
- Peak “super-clip” power increased from 250 kW to 350 kW (applies in race conditions).
- Maximum boost power during a race capped at +150 kW.
- New “low-power start detection” system to trigger automatic MGU-K deployment for cars with poor acceleration.
- Expanded number of events with lower energy limits from 8 to 12 races.
Why It Matters: Impact on Sprint Weekend and Competition
Miami operates under the Sprint format, which traditionally offers only a single hour of practice before parc fermé. Extending FP1 provides teams extra track time to evaluate the revised energy limits, calibrate the new start-assist system, and adapt to altered power-delivery characteristics. The adjustments aim to restore “flat-out” driving, improve safety at race starts, and preserve the spectacle of qualifying while maintaining the Sprint weekend structure.
Official Statements & Responses
The FIA stated that the FP1 extension was agreed “following consultation with all stakeholders” and reflects the five-week gap since the previous Grand Prix, the recent technical tweaks, and the Sprint format’s limited practice. FIA officials also described the 2026 package as “fundamentally a good package” and emphasized that safety and sporting fairness remain the highest priorities. President Ben Sulayem praised the “constructive and collaborative work” of drivers, teams, and power-unit manufacturers in refining the rules.
Criticism & Opposition
Verstappen maintained that the regulations are “fundamentally wrong” and suggested a return to V10 or V8 engines. Vettel warned that the “special feeling” of qualifying has vanished and that drivers are “not having fun” despite the cars being technically enjoyable. Norris argued that the new limits remove the “one or two per cent” that make qualifying exciting, while Piastri expressed cautious optimism that the tweaks may “go a way to solving” the qualifying issues.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Drivers contend that the rules suppress overtaking and driver excitement, whereas the FIA asserts the changes improve safety, reduce excessive energy harvesting, and preserve competitive integrity. No consensus exists on whether the adjustments fully restore the sport’s “DNA,” and the FIA’s future vote on additional refinements remains pending.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Following consultation with all stakeholders, it has been agreed that Free Practice 1 at the Miami Grand Prix will be extended to 90 minutes.” — FIA, Official Statement
- “I hope from a sporting point of view, that’s, I think, what they’re trying to address.” — Sebastian Vettel, Four-time World Champion
- “Appearing on stage at an event organised by broadcaster Viaplay, Verstappen said: “The fact that we’re talking [about changes] is already a step forward.” — Max Verstappen, Red Bull driver
- “I don’t know for sure, but I think some of the tweaks have hopefully removed some of those problems,” — Oscar Piastri, McLaren driver
- “We fundamentally believe we’ve got a good package and it’s normal to have to make adjustments as it happens.” — Nikolas Tombazis, FIA Single-Seater Director
What’s Next: Miami GP and Ongoing Refinements
The extended FP1 session will be the first on-track test of the new energy limits and start-assist system. The FIA plans to submit the full set of proposals to an e-vote before the Miami race, with additional monitoring of start-related changes during the weekend. Subsequent Grand Prix weekends will reveal whether the adjustments achieve the intended balance between safety, performance, and driver excitement.
