FORMULA 1 F1 CALENDAR 2026 LEWIS HAMILTON MOTOGP RUMOURS

New 2026 Formula 1 rules to be 'reviewed' after the Chinese Grand Prix

Photo: Race Pictures

F1 News

10:56, 09 Mar

Updated: 16:29, 09 Mar

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byKada Sarkozi

The 2026 rules could be changed a few rounds into the season. The intended review with the teams and the FIA will take place after Chinese Grand Prix.

"We have a few tricks up our sleeves, which we didn't want to introduce ahead of the first race as a kneejerk reaction and which we will review with the teams after China."

- Nikolas Tombazis

Rule changes could come to Formula 1 after the first two rounds of the current season, with the matter being discussed after the conclusion of this week's Grand Prix in Shanghai.

The new regulations received considerable backlash from the drivers, as Max Verstappen warned of suddenly exiting the competition, and Lando Norris highlighted safety concerns.

Photo: Race Pictures

A timeline is in place

After Bahrain testing, the FIA and the teams had outlined a timeline to evaluate the situation before rushing into making changes. This is set to take place after the Chinese Grand Prix.

"We had a meeting with the teams about ten days ago, after Bahrain test, to review the matter," Tombazis explained to GPblog, among others, in Bahrain.

"And the team's unanimous position was that we should stick to the current arrangements for the first few races and to review the matter when we have a few more, a bit more data.

"And our intention is after China to be reviewing the energy management situation. We have a few tricks up our sleeves, which we didn't want to introduce ahead of the first race as a kneejerk reaction and which we will review with the teams after China."

After China, there will be a weekend without racing (except for Verstappen who will compete at the Nurburgring), before the F1 field travels to Japan, where the urgent changes could already be in effect.

Given the Middle East conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran, if the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix were cancelled, the parties would have time to work with to make greater adjustments after Suzuka.