Formula 1’s governing body, the FIA, have announced a small modification to the energy management parameters for Qualifying at this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix.
The FIA, all 11 Formula 1 teams and the Power Unit manufacturers held talks regarding energy deployment following feedback from the drivers after the first two Grand Prix weekends of the season.
The power unit manufacturers – Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull Ford, Audi and Honda – unanimously agreed to a reduction of the maximum permitted energy recharge for Qualifying at Suzuka from 9 megajoules to 8 megajoules.
The governing body said this would “ensure the intended balance between energy deployment and driver performance is maintained”.
The change means drivers will harvest less energy to charge the battery on the straights in Qualifying, which in turn means they will spend less time on part throttle and perform less lifting and coasting.
The FIA said in a statement on Thursday ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix: “This adjustment reflects feedback from drivers and teams, who have emphasised the importance of maintaining Qualifying as a performance challenge.
“The FIA notes that the first events under the 2026 Regulations have been operationally successful, and this targeted refinement is part of the normal process of optimisation as the new regulatory framework is further validated in real-world conditions.
“The FIA, together with F1 teams and Power Unit Manufacturers, continues to embrace evolutions to energy management, with further discussions scheduled in the coming weeks.”
