News Summary
- F1 will remove the three-hour limit covering races and interruptions from the 2027 season.
- A predetermined hard-stop time will replace it, although the two-hour limit on actual racing remains.
- Gearbox homologation will also be abolished, allowing suppliers to continue developing their designs.
Formula 1 has approved further regulatory changes for 2027, removing the current three-hour race limit and abandoning the homologation of gearboxes.
The decisions were made during the latest F1 Commission meeting in London and remain subject to ratification by the FIA World Motor Sport Council.
Under the present regulations, a Grand Prix must finish within three hours of its scheduled start when interruptions such as red flags occur. That overall limit will disappear in 2027 and be replaced by a predetermined hard-stop time for all racing activity.
The existing restriction of two hours of actual racing will remain unchanged. The distinction means extended stoppages will no longer automatically consume the time available for completing a Grand Prix, provided the race can resume before the event’s fixed finishing deadline.
Why F1 is changing its interrupted-race limit
The FIA said the revised system is intended to give spectators the best possible opportunity to see a full race when rain, accidents or other circumstances cause lengthy suspensions.
A hard stop provides organisers and broadcasters with a definitive finishing time while allowing officials greater flexibility during interruptions. Under the existing system, the three-hour countdown continues during red-flag periods, potentially ending a race before the maximum two hours of competitive running have been completed.
The change would be particularly relevant during heavily disrupted Grands Prix. Officials could wait longer for conditions to improve without automatically losing the opportunity to restart, although the event must still conclude by its specified hard stop.
The exact finishing time is expected to be defined individually for each round, accounting for local conditions and operational requirements.
Interrupted F1 practice sessions can be extended
The F1 Commission also approved greater flexibility to extend free-practice sessions when red flags or other disruptions substantially reduce track time.
Practice sessions currently continue counting down during most stoppages. That can leave drivers with limited running, particularly at street circuits where accidents and barrier repairs frequently cause prolonged interruptions.
From 2027, officials will have more freedom to restore some of the lost time. The FIA has not yet detailed the precise mechanism or the maximum extension permitted.
The measure could become especially important during the opening practice session at circuits where teams have limited historical data. It also provides additional protection for spectators who might otherwise see little running during a disrupted session.
F1 abandons gearbox homologation
Gearbox homologation will also be removed in 2027 following consultation with the relevant manufacturer working group and a recommendation from the Sporting Advisory Committee.
The decision preserves development freedom for suppliers, allowing them to modify and improve their gearbox designs instead of being locked into an approved specification.
That flexibility may prove valuable during the continuing adjustment to Formula 1’s new technical era. The current generation of cars introduced revised power units, active aerodynamics and substantially different energy-management demands.
Removing homologation allows manufacturers to address reliability or performance limitations discovered during competition without waiting for another regulatory cycle.
Shorter races remain part of F1’s 2027 package
The latest decisions accompany the previously approved reduction in standard Grand Prix distance from 305km to 290km. Most races will consequently become two or three laps shorter from 2027.
The change is connected to revisions in power-unit fuel-flow regulations and concerns over completing races within the available energy allowance. GRANDE PRÊMIO has already explained how the 290km race format forms part of F1’s fuel compromise.
Monaco will remain an exception because its race distance is already shorter than the standard requirement.
Minor changes to the 2026 Sporting and Financial Regulations were also agreed, alongside smaller amendments to the 2027 Technical Regulations. The FIA did not provide further details about those adjustments.
All changes must now receive formal approval from the World Motor Sport Council before being incorporated into the regulations. Formula 1 will introduce the revised race-duration, practice and gearbox provisions at the beginning of the 2027 season.
F1 today: FAQ
When is the next Formula 1 race?
The next race is the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix at the Baku City Circuit on Saturday, 26 September.
Why is the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix being held on Saturday?
The race was moved forward to avoid Azerbaijan’s national Remembrance Day on Sunday, 27 September. Practice begins on Thursday, with qualifying on Friday and the Grand Prix on Saturday.
Who leads the 2026 Formula 1 championship?
Kimi Antonelli leads the Drivers’ Championship with 292 points. Mercedes teammate George Russell is second on 211, leaving Antonelli 81 points ahead with nine rounds remaining.
Is F1 removing the two-hour race limit?
No. The two-hour limit on actual racing will remain. F1 is removing the separate three-hour window that currently includes stoppages and interruptions.
