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F1 to Cut Maximum Race Distance by 15km From 2027

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Formula 1 will shorten the maximum grand prix distance from 305km to 290km in 2027 as new engine rules force cars to burn more fuel.

Formula 1 will cut the maximum distance of its grands prix by 15km from the 2027 season, reducing the ceiling from 305km (189.5 miles) to 290km (180.2 miles). Governing body the FIA confirmed the change, which sits alongside a wider overhaul of how disrupted races are timed.

The decision is tied directly to F1's new engine formula. From next year the balance between internal combustion and electrical power shifts from 53-47 this season to 58-42, before moving again to 60-40 in 2028. Leaning more heavily on the combustion engine means the cars will burn more fuel over a race.

That became a practical problem once it emerged that some teams wanted to carry their existing chassis into next season to cut costs. Because the fuel tank sits inside the chassis, its size cannot be altered. Teams reusing current chassis therefore risked running short of fuel before the chequered flag. Trimming the maximum race distance eases that constraint.

New "hard stop time" for disrupted races

Grands prix remain capped at two hours of racing. The bigger change concerns what happens when a race is interrupted by rain or accidents. The current rule allows up to three hours of total elapsed time to complete an event. That fixed three-hour ceiling will be replaced by a "hard stop time" that can vary from one race to the next.

The FIA said the aim is to give crowds a better chance of seeing a race run to its full distance. "These changes were introduced to ensure that the spectators have the best possible chance to enjoy a full race if disruptions occur," the governing body said in a statement.

Because the hard stop time is set according to local conditions, it will not be identical everywhere. Night races offer more room to let an interrupted event run later into the evening. Daytime races that face a relatively early sunset will have less flexibility.

Practice sessions also affected

The measures were agreed at a meeting of the F1 Commission, the rule-making body made up of the teams, the FIA and commercial rights holder F1. The Commission also signed off on greater flexibility to extend free practice sessions when they are interrupted.

Under the current rules, the clock keeps running during practice even when a red flag is shown for an incident. That is different from qualifying and races, where the timer stops when the session is suspended. The revised approach brings more leeway into practice running so lost track time can be recovered.

Taken together, the changes reshape both the length of a grand prix and the way F1 handles the interruptions that can otherwise cut a race short. The shorter maximum distance addresses a technical squeeze created by the 2027 power-unit rules, while the flexible hard stop time and practice tweaks are aimed at protecting the on-track spectacle for fans.

Formula 1, F1 2027 rules, F1 race distance, FIA, grand prix, F1 engine regulations, hard stop time, F1 Commission

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