The FIA is reportedly set to allow a relaxation of a key rule change in Formula 1 for its three pre-season testing schedules.
F1 2026 sees a plethora of new regulations, including an increased reliance on electric power in the cars’ engines, moving to an equal 50-50 usage with internal combustion.
Dovetailing with that is the introduction of fully sustainable fuels, in order to meet its Net Zero targets. However, such fuels come with their own complications.
As well as the labyrinthine nature of the fuel’s development to ensure its carbon neutrality, the homologation is equally as fraught, and additionally, the change is far more costly.
Last year, the financial implications of such fuels were speculated to be as much as $300 a litre, which could cost teams as much as $100,000 per race weekend, ultimately leading to a potential total of almost $2.5 million a season.
Therefore, the sport’s governing body, according to Auto Motor und Sport, has taken the decision to allow the usage of non-compliant fuels for the three programmes [Barcelona and two in Bahrain respectively].
This gives Petronas [Mercedes], Shell [Ferrari], Aramco [Honda/Aston Martin], ExxonMobil [Red Bull Powertrains] and Castrol [Audi] some much-needed relief from the monetary strains the new rules will cause.
The report added that this will be an exemption for this year only and the regulatory fuels will be required for use by the FIA for 2027 F1 pre-season testing.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, when the astronomical figures were initially reported last May, urged for a solution to ease the financial burden on all those concerned, calling for an “open-minded” dialogue to resolve the issue.
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