Automotive
Formula 1 teams agree to shorten race distances for the 2027 season
Grands Prix will be cut from 305 to 290 kilometers to allow higher engine fuel flow without requiring immediate chassis redesigns.
The short version
- Formula 1 teams agreed to reduce standard Grand Prix distances from 305 km to 290 km starting in 2027.
- The 15-kilometer reduction allows cars to consume more fuel for increased internal combustion horsepower without altering chassis to fit larger fuel tanks.
- The change temporarily alters a race distance standard maintained since 1958, though future extensions remain uncertain as further power increases are planned for 2028.
Key facts
- Formula 1 teams agreed to reduce Grand Prix race distances from 305 kilometers to 290 kilometers for the 2027 championship.[Jalopnik]
- The maximum energy flow limit will increase from 3,000 megajoules per hour to 3,150 megajoules per hour in 2027.[Jalopnik]
- The shortened race distance allows teams to accommodate an agreed increase in internal combustion power from 536 hp to 563 hp without redesigning car chassis for larger fuel capacities.[Jalopnik]
- A minimum race distance of 300 km plus one lap, later standardized to 305 km in 1989, has been in place since 1958, with the Monaco Grand Prix as the sole regular exception.[Jalopnik]
- An additional 40-horsepower increase for engines is planned for the 2028 season.[Jalopnik]
What remains uncertain
- Whether Formula 1 will return to the traditional 305-kilometer race distance after 2027 remains uncertain, as any future modifications will require team approval.[Jalopnik]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.