{"id":2574,"date":"2026-09-21T17:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-21T20:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/?p=2574"},"modified":"2026-09-21T16:55:01","modified_gmt":"2026-09-21T19:55:01","slug":"f1-today-20260921-shorter-races-imola-finale-hadjar-red-bull-baku","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/f1-today-20260921-shorter-races-imola-finale-hadjar-red-bull-baku\/","title":{"rendered":"F1 Today: shorter races approved, Imola prepares for finale and Hadjar nears Red Bull return"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">News Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>F1 has approved reducing standard Grand Prix distances from 305km to approximately 290km in 2027.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Teams have reserved accommodation near Imola as the circuit prepares to replace the Middle Eastern season finale if required.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Isack Hadjar faces a final simulator assessment before Red Bull confirms its Azerbaijan GP line-up.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Formula 1\u2019s future regulations and the uncertain conclusion to the current championship dominate the latest headlines on <strong>GRANDE PR\u00caMIO<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The F1 Commission has approved shorter races for 2027, while preparations at Imola have moved beyond preliminary discussions. Meanwhile, teams are turning towards Baku, where Red Bull must decide whether Hadjar is ready to return.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">F1 approves shorter races from 2027<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Standard Grand Prix distances will fall from just over 305km to approximately 290km in 2027, removing around two or three laps from most races.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The measure compensates for increased fuel consumption after F1 revised the balance of its next-generation power units. Fuel flow will rise by 5%, while internal-combustion output increases from 400kW to 420kW.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">F1 will retain the two-hour limit on racing but replace the overall three-hour event restriction with individual hard-stop times. Gearbox homologation will also be abandoned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Read the full story: <a>F1 approves shorter 290km Grands Prix for 2027<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Six races and 158 points begin in Baku<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">F1 begins its most demanding section of the 2026 season with six Grands Prix across seven weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Baku, Sepang and Singapore form the first triple-header. After one free weekend, the championship continues through Austin, Mexico City and S\u00e3o Paulo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A maximum of 158 points will be available, including the eight offered by the Singapore Sprint. Power-unit allocations could also become decisive, with several drivers approaching grid penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Read more: <a>F1 enters six-race pressure cooker with engine penalties looming<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Imola begins preparations for possible F1 finale<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">F1 teams have reportedly reserved accommodation near Imola for the weekend of December 6 as the championship develops an alternative to Qatar and Abu Dhabi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Both Middle Eastern races remain on the official calendar. However, Imola has begun operational planning in case security, insurance or travel conditions prevent F1 from staging either event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Italian circuit would probably host one replacement race rather than substitute both rounds. Its winter timetable would also require an unusually early start because Imola has no permanent floodlights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Full details: <a>F1 teams book Imola hotels for possible 2026 finale<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Hadjar completes final test before Baku decision<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Isack Hadjar is undergoing a simulator assessment before Red Bull determines whether he can return at the Azerbaijan GP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Frenchman has missed three races while recovering from a fractured wrist. If he receives medical clearance and completes the simulator programme without significant discomfort, he will return alongside Max Verstappen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Liam Lawson remains available for another Red Bull appearance if Hadjar is not cleared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Read more: <a>Hadjar faces final simulator test before Red Bull decides Baku return<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ferrari reshapes engine department<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fr\u00e9d\u00e9ric Vasseur has started reorganising Ferrari\u2019s power-unit structure under technical director Enrico Gualtieri.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Francesco Morettini is moving from Ferrari\u2019s GT programme to reorganise the F1 engine technical office. A senior specialist recruited from Red Bull Powertrains is also expected to join Maranello after completing a year of gardening leave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ferrari is attempting to reduce its engine deficit to Mercedes while moving more technical resources towards 2027.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Full story: <a>Ferrari reorganises F1 engine department as Red Bull recruit waits to arrive<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Verstappen reacts to Robin R\u00e4ikk\u00f6nen\u2019s Red Bull deal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Max Verstappen joked that he may eventually need to \u201cmove aside\u201d after Red Bull signed Robin R\u00e4ikk\u00f6nen, the 11-year-old son of 2007 world champion Kimi R\u00e4ikk\u00f6nen, to its junior programme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Verstappen recently returned to karting competition at Silverstone, defeating more than 100 rivals during an event he described as a return to the fundamentals of racing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Read more: <a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/verstappen-jokes-he-may-move-aside-at-red-bull-for-raikkonens-11-year-old-son\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">Verstappen jokes he may move aside for R\u00e4ikk\u00f6nen\u2019s son<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why F1 will race on Saturday in Azerbaijan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Azerbaijan GP will take place on Saturday, September 26, because Sunday coincides with Azerbaijan\u2019s Memorial Day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The entire weekend has consequently moved forward by 24 hours. Practice begins on Thursday, qualifying takes place on Friday and the race starts at 12:00 UK and 07:00 ET on Saturday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Read the schedule explanation: <a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/why-is-the-2026-azerbaijan-grand-prix-being-held-on-saturday\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">Why is the 2026 Azerbaijan GP being held on Saturday?<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Follow the complete build-up to Baku through <strong>GRANDE PR\u00caMIO\u2019s<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">Formula 1 coverage<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">F1 today: FAQ<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When is the next Formula 1 race?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The next race is the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix at the Baku City Circuit on Saturday, 26 September.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why is the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix being held on Saturday?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The race was moved forward to avoid Azerbaijan\u2019s national Remembrance Day on Sunday, 27 September. Practice begins on Thursday, with qualifying on Friday and the Grand Prix on Saturday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Who leads the 2026 Formula 1 championship?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Kimi Antonelli leads the Drivers\u2019 Championship with 292 points. Mercedes teammate George Russell is second on 211, leaving Antonelli 81 points ahead with nine rounds remaining.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Formula 1 has approved 290km Grands Prix for 2027, while Imola prepares for a possible winter finale and Red Bull evaluates Isack Hadjar\u2019s fitness for Baku<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1001096690,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"42wp_featured_image_caption":"290km races approved as Imola prepares for possible finale","42wp_featured_image_credits":"Rodrigo Ruiz\/Grande Pr\u00eamio","42wp_featured_video":"","42wp_featured_image_hidden":false,"42wp_authors_list":[{"id":7,"location":""}],"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[517,330,585,324],"42wp_author":[7],"class_list":["post-2574","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-f1","tag-azerbaijan-gp","tag-f1-2027","tag-f1-today","tag-formula-1","42wp_author-victor-martins"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2574","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2574"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2574\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2575,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2574\/revisions\/2575"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1001096690"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2574"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2574"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2574"},{"taxonomy":"42wp_author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/42wp_author?post=2574"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}