F1 'Considering' Major Rule Change With Three New Formats Discussed

Formula 1 chiefs are reportedly considering a major rule change for the 2026 season that could have a significant impact on races.

The new season will already usher in some of the biggest regulation changes in the sport's history, aimed primarily at improving aerodynamics to ensure closer racing between cars.

Cars will be significantly lighter in weight, while new power units are to be introduced which remove the MGU-H unit and use 100 per cent sustainable fuel.

But despite a number of changes to attempt to increase overtaking opportunities in recent years, race strategy in general has slowly become less varied among teams.

The FIA's blueprint for 2026 cars (Image: YouTube/FIA)

Many races in the current era only require one pit stop as a fastest strategy, limiting the options that drivers and teams have available to them during the race.

Drivers normally either start on the faster tyre, then complete a long second stint on the harder tyre, or use the opposite starting tyre followed by a shorter stint at the end on softs to make up the time loss.

Some drivers have complained about the lack of variety and say it is impacting racing, with Mercedes' George Russell telling Sky Sports F1 in Mexico that F1 is currently 'a race to Turn 1', adding: "There's no tyre degradation."

Russell's voice has significant weight within F1 circles as he is currently a director of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA).

And according to the Italian outlet of Motorsport.com, F1 owners Liberty Media are considering making major changes to the sport's pit stop regulations.

Under one of the proposals, it is claimed, each driver would have to use all three Pirelli dry tyre compounds during a race, mandating a two-stop strategy.

An alternative is to impose a mileage limit on each tyre, which would not go beyond 45 per cent of the total race distance, while the third option is to remove the compound requirement.

All three options, though, would create a minimum two-stop strategy each race - which would bring about a number of new possibilities for race strategy and, in an ideal world, create a better spectacle for fans and drivers.

It is claimed that the Formula 1 Commission - which features representatives from F1, the FIA and senior figures from each of the soon-to-be 11 teams following Cadillac's arrival - are currently debating the proposals.

The ideas are said to have gained 'some' support from the teams themselves, while Liberty Media are 'championing' the proposals as they would create more entertaining Grands Prix.

It is added that the two-stop strategy without the three-compound requirement is believed to be the most popular at present among the representatives.