Formula 1 will implement a reduction in the standard distance of the Grand Prix starting in 2027. During a meeting held at the FIA headquarters in London this Monday (21), the F1 Commission approved the reduction of the usual distance from 305 km to 290 km, which corresponds to the elimination of two or three laps, depending on the specific track.
This change is directly linked to the planned adjustments to the power units for next year. The fuel flow injected into the internal combustion engine will increase by 5%, raising the limit of this component from 544 hp to 571 hp. In compensation, the maximum power of the MGU-K electric motor will be reduced from 476 hp to 408 hp under normal race conditions, although it will maintain a peak of 476 hp during overtaking.
Consequently, the distribution between combustion and electricity will change from 53%-47% to 58%-42% in 2027. A later stage, set at 60%-40%, will only be implemented in 2028, when the fuel flow will be 13% higher than recorded in 2026.
Since the increase in fuel consumption implies carrying more supply, and given that the tank is an integral part of the car's structure and cannot be expanded without a completely new chassis, the teams opted to reduce the mileage instead of redesigning the monocoques, which would generate high costs in the year they plan to reuse much of the 2026 designs.
Furthermore, the F1 Commission, composed of teams, the FIA, and commercial rights holders, modified the rules regarding stops during the race. The maximum limit of three hours between the start and the end of the race, including interruptions, has been abolished. In its place, a hard stop time will be established, which can be adapted on a case-by-case basis, considering the circuit and the available natural light.
The two-hour limit for effective race time remains valid. According to the FIA, this change aims to increase the probability of the public watching the entire race, even if there are interruptions caused by accidents or rain. Free practice sessions will also have the possibility of being extended if interrupted by red flags.
In the same meeting, the commission decided to end the homologation of gearboxes in 2027, a measure that, according to the body, aims to preserve the development autonomy of suppliers.
In Brazil, this impact will be noticeable at Interlagos. The São Paulo circuit has a lap of 4.309 km and currently runs 71 laps, totaling 305.879 km. With the new minimum established, the race would move to 68 laps, corresponding to approximately 293 km. The Monaco Grand Prix, which has a historical exception with 78 laps and 260 km, should not be affected by this new rule.