P1racenews AI automatic summary:
The FIA have confirmed a few more rule changes for the 2026 season and beyond, including one that focuses on F1 sprint weekends.
The FIA has confirmed additional rule changes for the 2026 F1 season, particularly focusing on sprint weekends. These changes are part of a broader set of regulations that will impact power units and chassis. In addition, there will be three sets of three-day pre-season testing events to help teams adapt to the new rules. The structure of sprint weekends will be adjusted to allow for extended practice sessions in case of delays like red flags or bad weather. While teams must deal with time constraints during regular race weekends, the FIA will allow for an extended practice session during sprint race weekends to ensure teams get the full hour of practice. These changes are expected to shake up the competitive order in 2026, with Mercedes poised to benefit most from the new regulations. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc predicts significant shifts in the racing order as teams adapt differently to the new rules. It will be a crucial year for drivers like Leclerc, Verstappen, Hamilton, and Alonso, whose futures with their current teams are uncertain.
