Motorsport TechnologyFormula One’s governing body, the FIA, has announced that there will be a change to the cars’ engine management system ahead of qualifying for the Japanese GP.
According to the official press release, the change comes ‘to ensure that the intended balance between energy deployment and driver performance is maintained’.
Coming into the third race of the season, several teams and particularly drivers have been outspoken about the need to maintain qualifying as a driving and performance challenge.
The sweeping regulations in the new Hybrid Era demand a conservative approach as when to push and when to back off and harvest energy. And it hasn’t been to everyone’s liking.
READ GRAIG SCARBOROUGH’S COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO THE 2026 REGULATIONS
In Suzuka on Saturday, drivers will need less energy to harvest batteries on the straights meaning less time off throttle to ‘lift and coast’.
“The FIA notes that the first events under the 2026 Regulations have been operationally successful, and this targeted refinement is part of the normal process of optimisation as the new regulatory framework is further validated in real-world conditions,” concluded the statement.
“The FIA, together with F1 teams and Power Unit Manufacturers, continues to embrace evolutions to energy management, with further discussions scheduled in the coming weeks.”
An ajustement to the energy management parameters for Qualifying at the #JapaneseGP has been agreed with the unanimous support of all Power Unit Manufacturers.#FIA #F1 pic.twitter.com/holAoVOKaU
— FIA (@fia) March 26, 2026
Fraser Masefield
Craig Scarborough