From 2027, the full race distance in Formula 1 will be cut from 305 to 290 kilometres, trimming two or three laps from every grand prix. The move is designed to fit the sport's new fuel flow regulations and was agreed in London at the third meeting of the year of the Formula 1 Commission, the body that shapes the championship's rules. The session, which weighed up the future of the series, was chaired by Nikolas Tombazis, the FIA's single-seater director, and Stefano Domenicali, Formula 1's chief executive.
The rules governing rain-interrupted races have also been overhauled. The three-hour overall limit from the start of a race to its finish has been scrapped, replaced by a strict final cut-off time for the race, although the two-hour cap on actual running on track remains in place. Gearbox homologation for 2027 has been abolished too, handing suppliers complete freedom to keep developing their designs. Ultimately, every agreed change still requires final approval from the World Motor Sport Council before it can take effect.
