F1 races to return to standard distance in 2028

Formula 1 grands prix will return to their standard distance in 2028 after the maximum length was shortened for next season. The maximum distance of a Formula 1 race will be reduced by 15km in 2027 The maximum distance of a race was cut by 15km from 305km (189.5 miles) to 290km (180.2 miles) for the 2027 season. That reduction was introduced because of a quirk of the situation surrounding changes to the engine rules for next year. The new hybrid engines introduced this year, which have a near 50-50 split between internal combustion and electrical power, have been criticised for reducing the impact of driver skill. The power split will be changed, in two steps, to 60-40 by 2028, enabling drivers to have maximum power for longer.

This means the cars will use more fuel – and that became a concern when it emerged some teams wanted to carry their chassis over into next year to save money. As the fuel tank is within the chassis and therefore its size could not be changed, this meant those teams might not have been able to finish grands prix with their existing fuel tanks. The change affects only a handful of races where fuel consumption is heaviest. The sport's governing body, the FIA, published the 2027 rules this week and these