Formula 1 reduces energy recovery to 7 MJ

Formula 1 has cut the maximum permitted energy recharge in its 2026 rules to 7 megajoules from 8, starting with the Miami Grand Prix weekend. (fia.com) (formula1.com) In plain terms, recharge is the amount of braking energy the car can harvest and store in its battery during a lap. The FIA said the old limit pushed drivers into excessive harvesting, which meant more time managing the battery and less time driving flat-out. (formula1.com) (fia.com) The FIA and Formula One Management agreed the change in an April 20 online meeting with team principals and power-unit manufacturer chiefs. The governing body said the package was based on data from the first three 2026 races in Australia, China and Japan, plus input gathered from drivers. (fia.com) (formula1.com) Another key change lifts peak “superclip” power to 350 kilowatts from 250 kilowatts. The FIA said that should cut the maximum superclip phase to roughly two to four seconds per lap and reduce the time cars spend recharging. (fia.com) (formula1.com) For races, the rules now cap Boost at an extra 150 kilowatts, or at the car’s current power level if that is higher. MGU-K deployment stays at 350 kilowatts in key acceleration zones, including overtaking zones, but drops to 250 kilowatts elsewhere on the lap. (fia.com) (formula1.com) Those limits are aimed at smoothing the power swings that can appear when one car is deploying electrical energy and another is forced to harvest it back. The FIA said the new caps are meant to reduce excessive closing speeds while keeping overtaking opportunities. (fia.com) The broader backdrop is Formula 1’s all-new 2026 power-unit era, which gives the hybrid system a much larger role and is designed to run on sustainable fuel. Formula 1 said the new rules were also intended to attract more manufacturers, and the 2026 grid has five power-unit suppliers: Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull Ford, Honda and Audi. (formula1.com) The FIA also widened the number of events that can use alternative lower energy limits from eight to 12 races, giving officials more room to tailor settings to different circuits. Separate start-procedure changes, including a low-power start detection system and warning lights, are due to be tested in Miami before wider adoption. (fia.com) (formula1.com) Miami is the first live test of whether Formula 1’s battery-heavy 2026 package can be made easier to race without rewriting the whole formula. The sport has chosen a narrower fix: less harvesting, sharper deployment and smaller power swings. (fia.com) (formula1.com)