News Summary
- Standard F1 race distances will fall from 305km to approximately 290km in 2027.
- The reduction compensates for higher fuel consumption under revised power-unit regulations.
- F1 will retain its two-hour racing limit but replace the overall three-hour restriction with event-specific hard stops.
Formula 1 has approved plans to reduce standard Grand Prix distances from 305km to 290km for the 2027 season.
The proposal received the support of the F1 Commission on Monday and is expected to remove approximately two or three laps from most races. It must now be formally incorporated into the regulations through the FIA World Motor Sport Council process.
All 11 teams had already agreed to the shorter race-distance proposal earlier in September. The latest decision moves the change beyond the team-consultation stage and towards implementation.
Monaco, which already uses a reduced distance of approximately 260km because of its slower street layout, will remain the exception.
Shorter races are linked to F1’s engine correction
The change is not primarily an attempt to shorten broadcasts or reshape the entertainment product. It is a technical compromise created by F1’s revised power-unit rules.
From 2027, fuel flow will increase by 5%, while the maximum internal-combustion output will rise from 400kW to 420kW. Electrical deployment will be reduced as F1 moves away from the heavily criticised power balance introduced in 2026.
The adjustments are intended to reduce energy management and allow drivers to run more consistently at full speed. However, the additional combustion power increases fuel consumption.
Several teams designed their current chassis and fuel tanks around the original 2026 requirements and did not want to construct substantially revised cars after only one season. Reducing each Grand Prix by approximately 15km limits the additional fuel capacity required.
A selective reduction at individual circuits had initially been considered, but teams feared that different distances could create fuel-saving races at certain venues. A universal 290km standard was therefore preferred.
F1 changes rules for rain-interrupted races
The Commission also agreed to remove the existing three-hour limit covering a race and any interruptions. The two-hour restriction on actual racing time will remain.
Instead, each event will receive a predetermined hard-stop time. This will give race control greater flexibility to restart events delayed by heavy rain, barrier repairs or other lengthy interruptions without creating an open-ended schedule.
Free practice sessions will also be allowed greater flexibility if interrupted, increasing the possibility of extending running after red flags or comparable delays.
Another approved change removes gearbox homologation for 2027. Suppliers will retain the freedom to develop their transmissions rather than being required to freeze an initial specification.
The shorter races form part of a wider restructuring for 2027. F1 has already confirmed a 24-round calendar featuring a record 10 Sprint weekends, including Monaco’s first Sprint event.
The championship will therefore stage more competitive sessions across the season while reducing each conventional Grand Prix by around 5%. The first 290km race is scheduled for Bahrain on March 14, 2027.
GRANDE PRÊMIO follows every regulatory development through its Formula 1 coverage.
F1 today: FAQ
What time is Singapore GP sprint qualifying today?
Sprint qualifying starts at 20:30 Singapore time on Friday, October 9, equivalent to 13:30 BST in the UK, 08:30 ET in the United States and Canada, and 18:00 IST in India. The session determines the starting grid for Saturday’s sprint.
Who was fastest in Singapore GP FP1?
George Russell topped FP1 with a 1:32.274, driving Mercedes’ older W17 aerodynamic specification. Charles Leclerc finished second, 0.198s behind, followed by Lando Norris in third. Kimi Antonelli was seventh with the upgraded Mercedes, while Gabriel Bortoleto finished 16th.
Why is George Russell using the old Mercedes at the Singapore GP?
Mercedes is comparing its previous W17 specification with the aerodynamic upgrade introduced at Sepang. Russell is using the older package, while championship leader Kimi Antonelli retains the new version. Russell led FP1, but differences in tyre compounds and run programmes mean the result alone does not establish which specification is faster.
How long will F1 races be in 2027?
Standard Grands Prix will cover approximately 290km, down from the current minimum of just over 305km.
