Essential guide to Formula 1 rules — points, format, tires, penalties, and upcoming 2026 changes.
01
CAL
Race Weekend Format
FRI
FP1
FP2
SAT
FP3
QUAL
SUN
RACE
A standard F1 weekend spans three days with practice, qualifying, and the Grand Prix. Sprint weekends condense the schedule and add a short race on Saturday.
| Session | Standard Weekend | Sprint Weekend |
|---|---|---|
| Friday | FP1 (60 min) + FP2 (60 min) | FP1 (60 min) + Sprint Qualifying (SQ1/SQ2/SQ3) |
| Saturday | FP3 (60 min) + Qualifying | Sprint Race (~100 km) + Qualifying |
| Sunday | Grand Prix (~305 km) | Grand Prix (~305 km) |
| Qualifying | Duration | Drivers | Eliminated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 18 min | All 20 | Bottom 5 (P16–P20) |
| Q2 | 15 min | 15 remaining | Bottom 5 (P11–P15) |
| Q3 | 12 min | Top 10 shootout | Sets pole position |
- Sprint Shootout: Same knockout format — SQ1 (12 min), SQ2 (10 min), SQ3 (8 min)
- Sprint Race: ~100 km, no mandatory pit stop, top 8 score points
- Grand Prix: ~305 km (Monaco ~260 km), 2-hour race time limit + 1-hour stoppage allowance
- Race start: 5 red lights illuminate sequentially, all extinguish simultaneously after random delay
- 2025 Sprint events: China, Miami, Belgium, USA (Austin), Brazil, Qatar
- 2026: Grid expands to 22 cars (Cadillac joins) — Q1/Q2 will eliminate 6 each instead of 5
02
PTS
Points System
25P1
18P2
15P3
12P4
10P5
8P6
6P7
4P8
2P9
1P10
Points are awarded to the top finishers in both the Grand Prix and Sprint races. From 2025, the fastest lap bonus point has been removed to prevent end-of-race gamesmanship.
| Position | Grand Prix | Sprint |
|---|---|---|
| P1 | 25 | 8 |
| P2 | 18 | 7 |
| P3 | 15 | 6 |
| P4 | 12 | 5 |
| P5 | 10 | 4 |
| P6 | 8 | 3 |
| P7 | 6 | 2 |
| P8 | 4 | 1 |
| P9 | 2 | — |
| P10 | 1 | — |
| Distance Completed | Positions Scored | Points (P1 → Pn) |
|---|---|---|
| < 25% | Top 5 | 6 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 1 |
| 25% – 50% | Top 9 | 13 – 10 – 8 – 6 – 5 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 1 |
| 50% – 75% | Top 10 | 19 – 14 – 12 – 9 – 8 – 6 – 5 – 3 – 2 – 1 |
| 75%+ | Top 10 | 25 – 18 – 15 – 12 – 10 – 8 – 6 – 4 – 2 – 1 (full) |
At least 2 laps must be completed under green-flag conditions for any points to be awarded.
- Maximum per standard weekend: 25 pts (race win)
- Maximum per sprint weekend: 33 pts (8 sprint + 25 race)
- Constructor points = sum of both drivers' points from all scoring sessions
- Fastest lap bonus point (2019–2024): Abolished from 2025
03
TIRE
Tire Regulations
C1
HARDC2
HARDC3
MEDC4
MEDC5
SOFTC6
SOFTINT
INTERWET
WETPirelli is the sole tire supplier. Six dry-weather slick compounds (C1–C6) range from hardest to softest. Three are nominated per race weekend based on circuit characteristics.
| Compound | Type | Sidewall | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|
| C1 | Hardest | White (HARD) | Maximum durability, lowest grip |
| C2 | Hard | White / Yellow | High durability, low degradation |
| C3 | Medium | Yellow (MEDIUM) | Balanced performance |
| C4 | Medium-Soft | Yellow / Red | Higher grip, faster degradation |
| C5 | Soft | Red (SOFT) | High grip, short lifespan |
| C6 | Ultra Soft | Red (SOFT) | New for 2025 — maximum grip, street circuits |
| Allocation | Standard Weekend | Sprint Weekend |
|---|---|---|
| Hard sets | 2 | 2 |
| Medium sets | 3 | 4 |
| Soft sets | 8 (1 reserved for Q3) | 6 |
| Total dry | 13 | 12 |
| Intermediate | 6 | 6 |
| Wet | 3 | 3 |
- Must use at least 2 different dry compounds during a dry race (forces minimum 1 pit stop)
- All 4 tires must be the same compound — no mixing allowed
- Mandatory compound rule does NOT apply to sprint races or wet-weather races
- Tire blanket maximum temperature: 70°C (158°F)
- Intermediate (green sidewall): damp/drying conditions. Wet (blue sidewall): heavy rain/standing water
04
FLAG
Penalties & Flags
Caution
Stopped
Let pass
Excluded
Clear
Finish
FIA stewards impose penalties for rule violations. Drivers also accumulate penalty points on their Super Licence — 12 points in 12 months triggers an automatic one-race ban.
| Penalty | Description |
|---|---|
| 5-second time | Added at pit stop or race result. Minor infractions: track limits, forcing another driver off. |
| 10-second time | More severe version. Served at pit stop or added to race time. |
| Drive-through | Must pass through pit lane at pit speed without stopping. ~20 second loss. |
| 10-sec stop & go | Stop in pit box for 10 seconds, mechanics cannot touch car. Most severe in-race penalty. |
| Grid penalty | 3/5/10/20 place drops. Used for PU component changes or severe qualifying incidents. |
| Disqualification | Excluded from session results. For technical violations or extreme conduct. |
| Race ban | Automatic 1-race ban at 12 penalty points within 12-month rolling window. |
| Offense | Penalty Points |
|---|---|
| Causing collision | 0–3 (4 if deliberate/reckless) |
| Forcing driver off track | 2 (3 if reckless) |
| Multiple direction change defending | 3 |
| Moving in braking zone (dangerous) | 3 |
| Yellow flag violation | 3 |
| Red flag violation | 4 |
| Blue flag violation | 1–2 |
| Safety car overtaking | 2–3 |
| VSC speed limit excess | 1–3 |
| Unsafe pit release | 1–2 |
| Flag | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Yellow | Danger ahead — slow down, no overtaking |
| Double Yellow | Great danger — be prepared to stop, no overtaking |
| Red | Session stopped — return to pit lane immediately |
| Blue | Backmarker must let leader pass within 3 flag posts |
| Black | Disqualified — return to pits immediately |
| Black/Orange | Car has mechanical issue — must pit for repairs |
| Black/White | Final warning for unsportsmanlike behavior |
| Chequered | Session complete |
| Green | Track clear, racing resumes |
05
SC
Safety & Sporting
F1 has multiple safety mechanisms and sporting procedures that govern how incidents and racing are managed.
| Procedure | Description |
|---|---|
| Safety Car (SC) | Aston Martin Vantage leads the field at reduced speed. No overtaking. Pit lane open. Lapped cars may unlap themselves before restart. |
| Virtual Safety Car (VSC) | All cars reduce speed by ~30% via delta time system (checked every 50m). Maintains gaps. Lower pit stop time loss than full SC. |
| Red Flag | Race suspended, cars return to pit lane. Teams may change tires but not refuel or change setup. Restart: standing (dry) or rolling (wet). |
| Formation Lap | Pre-race warm-up lap. Cars form grid in qualifying order for standing start. |
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Parc fermé | Begins at qualifying start, ends after race. No setup changes except FIA-approved adjustments. Violation = pit lane start. |
| DRS | Rear wing opens in designated zones when within 1 second of car ahead. Not available in first 2 laps or after SC restart. Disabled in rain. |
| Track limits | White line = boundary. All 4 wheels beyond = violation. In qualifying: lap deleted. In race: escalating penalties (warning → B/W flag → 5s → 10s). |
| Minimum weight | 800 kg (car + driver, excluding fuel). Minimum driver weight: 82 kg. |
| Race time limit | 2 hours race time + 1 hour stoppage allowance = 3 hours total maximum. |
06
$
Budget Cap
Introduced in 2021, the cost cap limits team spending to ensure competitive fairness. Based on a 21-race calendar with per-race escalators for additional events.
| Season | Base Cap | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $140.4 million | $135M base + $1.8M per race above 21 |
| 2026 | ~$215 million | Increased for new PU regulation development |
| Category | Included? |
|---|---|
| Car design, R&D, production | Included |
| Race operations & logistics | Included |
| Testing (track + wind tunnel) | Included |
| Most team personnel salaries | Included |
| Driver salaries | Excluded |
| Top 3 highest-paid personnel | Excluded |
| Power unit costs | Excluded (separate PU cap) |
| Marketing & hospitality | Excluded |
| Travel & accommodation | Excluded |
| Breach Type | Threshold | Possible Penalties |
|---|---|---|
| Procedural | Administrative error | Fine |
| Minor overspend | < 5% over cap | Fine, points deduction, wind tunnel cuts |
| Material overspend | > 5% over cap | Championship disqualification possible |
07
PU
Power Unit & Car
Current F1 power units are 1.6L V6 turbo hybrids producing approximately 1,000 bhp (~750 kW) combined from the internal combustion engine and electric recovery systems.
| Component | 2025 Limit | Penalty if Exceeded |
|---|---|---|
| ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) | 4 | 10-place grid drop |
| Turbocharger (TC) | 4 | 10-place grid drop |
| MGU-H (Heat) | 4 | 10-place grid drop |
| MGU-K (Kinetic) | 4 | 10-place grid drop |
| Energy Store (Battery) | 2 | 10-place grid drop |
| Control Electronics (CE) | 2 | 10-place grid drop |
| Exhaust | 8 | 10-place grid drop |
| Gearbox | No limit | Exempt from 2025 |
Multiple new components in the same event = back of grid start. From 2025, gearbox changes no longer incur grid penalties.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Engine | 1.6L V6 turbo hybrid |
| Total output | ~1,000 bhp (~750 kW) |
| Power split | ~84% ICE / ~16% electric |
| Fuel flow limit | 100 kg/h max (above 10,500 RPM) |
| Fuel load | 110 kg maximum per race |
| ERS deployment | 4 MJ per lap from MGU-K |
| Minimum car weight | 800 kg (excl. fuel) |
- 2025 PU suppliers: Mercedes, Ferrari, Renault (Alpine), Honda (Red Bull & Racing Bulls)
- DRS: movable rear wing flap, activated within 1 second of car ahead at detection point
- 10% sustainable fuel content required since 2022
08
2026
2026 Rule Changes
2025~1,000 bhp
→
2026~1,000 bhp
The largest regulation overhaul since 2022. New power units with 50/50 ICE-electric split, active aerodynamics replacing DRS, and an 11th team joining the grid.
| Parameter | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Teams / Cars | 10 / 20 | 11 / 22 (Cadillac joins) |
| Minimum weight | 800 kg | 768 kg (−32 kg) |
| Power split | ~84/16 ICE/Electric | 50/50 ICE/Electric |
| ICE output | ~630 kW (850 bhp) | ~400 kW (540 bhp) |
| MGU-K output | 120 kW (160 bhp) | 350 kW (470 bhp) |
| Total power | ~750 kW (1,000 bhp) | ~750 kW (similar total) |
| MGU-H | Present | Removed |
| DRS | Rear wing only, within 1s | Removed — replaced by active aero |
| Fuel | 10% sustainable | 100% sustainable |
| Budget cap | $140.4M | ~$215M |
| Max wheelbase | 3,600 mm | 3,400 mm (−200 mm) |
| PU Component | 2025 Limit | 2026 Limit |
|---|---|---|
| ICE | 4 | 3 |
| Turbocharger | 4 | 3 |
| MGU-H | 4 | Removed |
| MGU-K | 4 | 2 |
| Energy Store | 2 | 2 |
| Control Electronics | 2 | 2 |
- Active Aero: Both front and rear wings have movable flaps — low-drag mode on straights, high-downforce in corners. Available to every driver on every lap.
- Overtake Mode: Extra +0.5 MJ energy deployment when within 1 second of another car.
- Energy harvest: 8–9 MJ per lap (up from 2–3 MJ), battery depletes 3x faster.
- Tires: Front −25 mm narrower, Rear −30 mm narrower. 18-inch wheels maintained.
- New PU manufacturers: Ford (with Red Bull Powertrains), Audi (takes over Sauber entry).
- Safety: Roll hoop vertical impact test increased from 16g to 20g. Stricter crash tests.
- Cars expected to be ~2 seconds per lap slower than 2025.
Cadillac/GM enters as the 11th constructor with a 22-car grid. Qualifying sessions (Q1/Q2) will eliminate 6 drivers each instead of 5.
Rules as of 2025 season. Subject to FIA updates. Source: FIA Regulations