New Delhi: FIA, Formula One’s governing body, has announced a slight revision of the energy management rules for the qualifying at the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix, after feedback from drivers and teams, following the opening two rounds of the season. The change reduces the maximum energy recovery limit during the qualifying from 9 megajoules to 8 megajoules.

The decision was taken after discussions involving all 11 teams and power unit suppliers, which include Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull, Ford, Honda and Audi, who all have agreed to the tweaking.

With a lower energy harvesting cap, drivers will, in theory, spend less time lifting off the throttle in order to recharge the battery making for more consistent flat-out runs during the qualifying laps. The change is aimed at shifting the focus towards outright performance in place of energy management. 

The move comes after concerns were raised following the first two races under the new 2026 rules. The present F1 power units rely on an even split between internal combustion and electric power, which makes energy recovery strategies much more important than before. 

This has led to much more use of lift-and-coast techniques, much like the Formula E, where drivers ease into corners so as to recharge the battery, and there are instances of “super-clipping” where energy is channelled back into the battery even with full throttle.

The new rules have also made for more wheel-to-wheel action, and it has led to most saying that flat-out quali laps and heated on-track battles have now become more about battery management than the raw skill and courage of the olden days. Apart from wheel-to-wheels, there have been quite a few DNF which is understandable because this a completely new ball game for most teams.

The FIA’s adjustment for Suzuka is supposed to address that balance, although the exact impact will be in the long-run during the race around the circuit.