FIA wakes up and (finally) decides on more pre-season testing days for 2026
Yesterday at 02:18 PM
The F1 Commission meeting, held in Faenza, Italy, has concluded with updates on the 2026 Formula 1 regulations and the reintroduction of more pre-season test days.
In 2026, more pre-season testing days will return: this is one of the most important decisions made by the FIA during the F1 Commission meeting. The International Federation has recognized the difficulties teams face in developing the Power Units for the new regulatory cycle and is finally accommodating the teams. A simplification of the technical regulations was also established.
It has taken years and may only be a temporary exception, but finally, more pre-season testing days will be available in Formula 1. After seasons of protests from drivers and some team personnel, the FIA has acknowledged the teams’ challenges in preparing for the new championship. With the new Power Units scheduled for 2026, the need for testing sessions is even more urgent.
In the document released on the official website of the International Federation, it states that “following discussions during recent meetings of the Technical Advisory Committee and ongoing talks with the Formula 1 teams, the latest version of the 2026 Technical Regulations includes a series of changes regarding performance, aerodynamics, and safety.”
These updates will certainly be welcomed by the teams in the paddock, but they are not limited to technical regulations. In the winter of 2026, two additional sessions of three pre-season test days will be introduced, allowing for more conclusive trials of the new engines.
"The 2026 Sporting Regulations have undergone a significant overhaul,” the statement explains, “seeking to simplify their structure. The 2026 pre-season testing program will include three sessions of three days, in recognition of the challenges posed by the new Power Unit Regulations."
There are also updates on financial matters, with adjustments expected to the budget cap: "The 2026 Financial Regulations will be an evolution of the current regulatory framework. The objectives of the 2026 regulations are to provide a competitive balance between sporting fairness and financial sustainability."
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