The F1 Commission – the consultative body of Formula 1, the FIA, and the teams – convened for the second time this year on Thursday, with a substantial list of topics on the agenda. Under the watchful eyes of Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and FIA chief Nikolas Tombazis, discussions were held about potential adjustments to the engine regulations for 2026 to allow lagging engine manufacturers to catch up. Possible solutions to prevent repeats of the grass fires at Suzuka were also discussed.
The call for changes to the engine regulations for 2026 is not unexpected. There have been longstanding concerns that the new regulations could foster significant inequality among engine manufacturers. Teams want to avoid a repeat of 2014, when Mercedes began to dominate the grid for several years. It took a few years for the other engine manufacturers to catch up with the German manufacturer.
The F1 Commission discussed refinements to the energy management strategy for 2026, as well as measures to address financial issues that engine manufacturers may face if they encounter lesser performance or significant reliability problems in 2026,” reads the official press release.
“All these topics will be discussed in more detail by the specialists in the relevant advisory committees.” According to Motorsport.com, lagging teams will receive more testing hours and the option to spend more money under the budget cap to make up for the deficit.
Grass Fires, Pit Stops, and Newcomers
Also on the agenda were solutions for the grass fires during the Japanese Grand Prix. The use of a different type of material for the skid block and modifications to the circuits themselves were mentioned as possible solutions. The FIA will investigate both options.
Lastly, the F1 Commission had a few adjustments for implementing the two mandatory pit stops in Monaco, and a change in the permitted capital expenditures for newcomers, prior to Cadillac’s entry in 2026.
