FIA reveal rules tweaks ahead of Suzuka Qualifying

The FIA has announced a technical adjustment to energy management parameters for the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix qualifying session. Following consultations with all 11 teams and power unit manufacturers, the maximum permitted energy recharge during qualifying has been reduced from 9 megajoules to 8 megajoules. This change aims to maintain the intended balance between energy deployment and driver performance. By reducing the recharge limit, drivers will harvest less energy on straights, leading to less time on part-throttle and reduced requirements for lifting and coasting. The FIA stated this refinement is part of an ongoing optimization process under the 2026 regulations and reflects collaborative feedback from drivers and manufacturers to ensure qualifying remains a demanding performance challenge.