Pre-season testing in Formula 1 is set to be tripled by 2026 as the series comes into force with significantly different new technical regulations.

The FIA, F1 and the F1 Commission, comprising all the teams, agreed on Tuesday to hold three three-day tests in early 2026 to give those taking to the track more time to get their new cars and engines up to speed.

Pre-season testing has been steadily reduced in recent years, from two four-day sessions to two three-day sessions, before being reduced back to a single three-day test for the last two years.

The tournament, which will run over nine days in the winter of 2026, will be the longest run teams have had since the tournaments in 2015, which consisted of three three-day test formats.

Teams’ success since the last major engine rule change in 2014 remains poor – with three four-day tests that winter and, despite a 12-day winter test, reliability was a major challenge for manufacturers in the early races when hybrids were first introduced.

The F1 Commission also announced that an updated version of the 2026 regulations will be submitted to the FIA ​​World Motor Sport Council on October 17, following an extraordinary Commission meeting held on October 2 “to discuss 2026 issues”. This follows unrest from teams over several elements of the rules first presented in June.

POINT FORMAT REMAINS THE SAME

Despite discussions in the paddock earlier this year about the possibility of increasing the number of athletes receiving points in races, the Commission unanimously decided to continue with the current top 10 points distribution.

The most likely scenario for change would be for the scores to drop to 12th place and the distribution to change from eighth place downwards.

The value of points changes had increased due to the increased competition in the field and lower loss rates, creating a feeling that it was both harder than ever to finish in the top 10 and that strong performances outside of that were not being rewarded. All 20 cars finished in three grands prix this year.

However, stakeholders agree that there is currently no sufficient justification for changing the format.