- FIA reduces qualifying energy recharge limit at Japan GP from 9.0 MJ to 8.0 MJ.
- Aim is to reduce lifting and coasting, letting drivers push harder during qualifying.
- Further reg changes expected before the Miami GP as F1 works on longer-term fix.
The FIA has cut the maximum energy recharge allowed in qualifying from 9.0 MJ to 8.0 MJ ahead of the Japanese GP.
The change will take effect this weekend at the Suzuka Circuit. All power unit makers agreed to the move. The FIA said it wants drivers to push harder and rely less on energy saving during fast laps.
The decision follows complaints from drivers and teams after the first two races of the 2026 season. Many felt qualifying had become too focused on managing battery power instead of driving flat out.
The 2026 power unit challenge
The issue starts with the new 2026 rules. Cars now use a much stronger electric system. The MGU-K delivers 350 kW, up from 120 kW in the previous set of regulations.
Power is now split almost 50/50 between the engine and battery, a big shift from the old 80/20 balance. But that extra electric power comes at a cost. Drivers often run out of energy mid-straight. They must lift off the throttle and coast into corners to recharge.
This problem showed up in Melbourne and stayed through China. Leading up to the Japanese GP, it had become a key talking point.
The FIA had already built in a rule to adjust energy limits if needed. Suzuka is the first time it has used that option.
By cutting the recharge limit to 8.0 MJ, drivers will not need to harvest as much energy. That should mean less lifting, less coasting, and more attacking laps.
The FIA’s official statement
The FIA confirmed the change in a statement on Thursday. It said the move came after talks with teams and manufacturers.
“Following discussions between the FIA, F1 teams and Power Unit Manufacturers, a minor adjustment to the energy management parameters for Qualifying at the Japanese GP has been agreed with the unanimous support of all Power Unit Manufacturers,” the FIA said.
It explained the goal clearly. “To ensure that the intended balance between energy deployment and driver performance is maintained, the maximum permitted energy recharge for Qualifying this weekend has been reduced from 9.0 MJ to 8.0 MJ.”
The FIA added that drivers and teams wanted qualifying to stay a true test of speed.
It also called the change part of normal fine-tuning. “This targeted refinement is part of the normal process of optimisation as the new regulatory framework is further validated in real-world conditions.”
More talks are already planned.
Driver and team reactions that led to the change
Drivers had raised concerns about the energy management since the first race. Haas driver Oliver Bearman called the system frustrating.
He said the energy management and clipping were “the annoying thing,” adding it was “definitely more than what we’ve been used to,” and “actually feeling it in reality for the first time is a little bit sad.”
Max Verstappen compared the feeling to Mario Kart. Oscar Piastri said the driving style felt unnatural.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff took a calmer view. He said the racing itself still worked, but qualifying needed help.
“Clearly lift and coast in qualifying… it is difficult to cope and digest,” Wolff said, noting how hard it is for drivers who want to push flat out.
At Suzuka, that matters more. The track demands full commitment through fast corners like the Esses and 130R. Any need to hold back goes against what makes the circuit special.
A temporary fix, with more to come
The FIA has stressed this is not a permanent rule change. It applies only to this weekend for now. But more changes may follow soon. Formula 1 officials plan further updates before the Miami round.
Several ideas are under review. Increasing superclipping power to 350 KW could reduce the need to lift. Cutting battery deployment down to 200 kW could spread energy over a full lap, though that would slow the cars.
The FIA confirmed that more discussions are coming in the next few weeks.
The 1 MJ cut may seem small. But it signals a clear shift.
After weeks of concern, the sport has taken its first step to fix qualifying. At the Japanese GP, where speed and commitment matter every lap, that step could make a real difference.
