Formula 1 will have shorter races from 2027. The FIA F1 Commission has approved reducing the Grand Prix distance from the current 305 to 290 kilometers, a modification that will involve between two and three laps less, depending on the characteristics of each circuit.
The change is directly related to the new power unit configuration that will come into effect next season. Increased fuel flow will increase the power of the combustion engine, but will also increase consumption during races.
The decision seeks to prevent teams from having to significantly increase the size of fuel tanks to maintain the current distance from the Grand Prix.
As of 2027, the fuel flow will increase by 5%, allowing the maximum combustion engine power to go from 400 to 420 kW.
At the same time, the maximum power of the MGU-K will be reduced from 350 to 300 kW. As a result, the power distribution will change from the current 50:50 between the combustion engine and the electric part.
The distribution will pass approximately to 58:42 in 2027, before reaching the planned 60:40 distribution in 2028.
The problem is that greater fuel flow also implies greater fuel consumption.To cover the current 305 kilometers, motorcycles would need to carry more fuel during the race.
That would force the teams to use larger capacity tanks, with consequences on the weight of the cars and the aerodynamic design.
F1: The shortest races in 2027? The FIA announced that due to the change in fuel flow in the motors from 2027, the distance of the GP will decrease from 305 km to 290 km. Depending on the details of each circuit, the races will have two or three laps less.#F1 pic.twitter.com/loQ3s2xo8y
Reducing the distance from the Grand Prix will compensate for part of the increase in consumption without forcing teams to design their cars around considerably larger deposits.
When discussions about the changes began, at least half of the grid planned to keep its 2026 chassis, so increasing the size of the tanks would have been an impractical solution.
Although subsequent aerodynamic changes changed that scenario, controlling the size of the tanks remains relevant within a generation of cars that also has among its goals to reduce weight.
Initially, the FIA had considered to apply a distance reduction only on circuits where consumption could pose a problem. However, after discussions on the regulation of 2027, it was decided to set the 290 kilometers as the new general distance for the races.
The F1 Commission also approved a change for the Grand Prix affected by rain, accidents or prolonged interruptions.
Currently, a race can not exceed three hours from its beginning to its end, including the time during which it remains stopped. From 2027, that limit will disappear and will be replaced by a maximum window of one hour to finish all activity on the track.
A maximum of two hours of effective course will beined.
The intention is to increase the chances of completing a Grand Prix when a red flag or weather conditions cause a prolonged interruption.
Free practices will also have greater flexibility to extend when a session is interrupted.
Another of the approved changes affects the exchange boxes. After consulting the manufacturer working group and receiving a recommendation from the Sporting Advisory Committee, the Commission agreed to withdraw its type-approval by 2027.
This will allow providers to maintain greater freedom to continue with the development of their transmissions.
The changes were ratified during the third meeting of the F1 Commission of 2026, held on September 21 at the FIA offices in London and headed by Nikolas Tombazis, FIA driver's director, and Stefano Domenicali, Formula 1 president and CEO.
The adjustments are part of the changes that FIA and Formula 1 have made during 2026 after receiving feedback from teams and drivers on the behavior of the new generation of cars.
Energy management became one of the main focus points during the first season of the current regulation and already caused changes before the scheduled changes for 2027 and 2028.
Now, that process will also have an effect on one of the most consistent elements of Formula 1: the official distance of the Grand Prix.
Starting in 2027, the races will move from the current 305 kilometers to 290, in a modification that will accompany the new power distribution between combustion and electricity.
The 2027 FIA Formula One World Championship Calendar is here ?The Portuguese Grand Prix and Turkish Grand Prix return to the calendar, while the number of Sprint events increases to 10!22 countries. and 24 Grand Prix. and 10 sprints. One World Championship? pic.twitter.com/n5HWJDCqF8
