No changes to points system, more test days, increase of minimum weight - FIA confirms changes to the regulations

Just two days after the Hungarian Grand prix, the F1 Commission has announced key changes to the Sporting, Financial and Technical Regulations, ruling out changes to the world championship points system and agreeing nine days of pre-season testing for 2026 to coincide with new regulations.

The third meeting of the Formula 1 Commission in 2024 took place today at the offices of Formula One Management, London. The meeting was chaired by FIA Single-Seater Director Nikolas Tombazis and Formula 1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali.

It had been suggested that the sport was considering potential changes to the points system, possibly extending the number of point-scoring positions beyond ten drivers.

However, the F1 Commission has now announced that "it was unanimously agreed that there would be no changes to the distribution of Championship points (as described in Articles 6.4 and 6.5 of the Sporting Regulations) following a recent proposal to consider expanding the point allocation beyond 10th place in a Grand Prix."

The minimum weight for the driver will be increased from 80kg to 82kg in the interests of driver well-being. As a result, the minimum weight – the mass of the car, without fuel, will be increased from 798kg to 800kg for 2025.

The 2026 pre-season test plan would include nine test days, split across three test events. Past season saw teams complete a single three-day pre-season testing in order to save costs with the only exception having been the 2022 F1 season when the field received another test session, named Shakedown test, to test the all-new 2022 cars.

With the 2026 F1 season set to feature a new technical regulation, it has been agreed that teams will be able to test their completely new cars over the course of nine days.

Regarding the 2026 F1 rules, the F1 Commission noted: "The overall strategic objectives of the 2026 Regulations were reiterated setting out that the overriding aim is to achieve fast and closer racing that will continue to engage and excite fans.

"An update was provided on the timeline of the 2026 Regulations covering Technical, Sporting, Financial and Environmental matters and that the ongoing collaboration led by the FIA with all the teams was on track to meet the objectives and moving in the right direction for the finalisation of the regulations."

"Following further discussions during upcoming Technical and Sporting Advisory committees, an update on the 2026 Regulations relating to sporting and technical regulations will be presented at the World Motor Sport Council on October 17. An extraordinary F1 Commission meeting will take place on October 2 to discuss 2026 matters."

While the Financial Regulation regularly going through slight changes, the F1 Commission has agreed another slight, but important tweak to the cost cap.

It was confirmed that costs relating to maternity/paternity leave, sick leave, and team entertainment should remain excluded from the perimeter of the cost cap.