F1 teams agree plan to cut race distances for 2027

Formula 1 races are set to be shorter in 2027, with teams having agreed a plan to cut race distances across the board from 305km to 290km.

In the wake of changes being made to the regulations to stop cars being so energy-starved, fuel flow rates are being increased for next year.

But the move to improve the spectacle has triggered other headaches for teams, because more fuel going through the engine means more is needed to complete a race distance.

That was a problem for teams that had built their current fuel tank sizes around the 2026 requirements and did not want to make an all-new car for next season.

Allowance has been made in the cost cap to give teams that were planning to carry over their chassis some extra spending freedom to make modifications, but alongside this were also moves to minimise the distance cars were expected to run.

Once the fuel-flow tweak had been agreed, discussions opened about potentially reducing some race distances by a couple of laps, with a further change being made in limiting drivers to just a single formation lap before the grid.

But amid the talks with teams about which races needed to be targeted for adjustment, it became clear that there could be some unintended consequences if there was a variety of race distances throughout the season.

It is understood that there was a risk of some events turning into fuel-economy runs.

So, following dialogue between the FIA and teams, it was agreed that it would be better to have a universal distance for a grand prix throughout the season, as there is now.

As first reported by Autoracer.it, this idea has now received unanimous support from teams so moves are in play to have it added to the rulebook.

For years now, F1 race distances have been the fewest number of laps required to exceed 305km. The only exception to this (beyond when grands prix start behind the safety car) is the Monaco GP, which runs to 260km.

The change agreed by teams for next year would result in all races (apart from Monaco) being reduced to around 290km - so will pull the events back by around three laps.

While the change in distance has been supported by teams, it still needs to go through a formal process before it is put into the 2027 sporting regulations.

This means revised regulations need to be proposed to the F1 Commission, which is made up of teams, the FIA and FOM. Once approved there, it will then need ratification by the FIA's World Motor Sport Council.

It is understood that the reduction in race distance is currently only agreed for next season because of the compromise caused by the change of power unit rules at such a late stage.

However, teams may decide to keep it at that level for longer if it is found that the additional fuel-flow changes planned for 2028 cause further trouble.