F1 returns at the Miami GP with new energy rules and changes at Audi after break

Fórmula 1’s Campeonato Mundial ends an unexpected month-long hiatus and resumes activities this weekend for the Miami GP. The race, valid as the fourth stage of the 2026 season, takes place after the cancellation of the Bahrein and Arábia Saudita stages, originally scheduled for April. The forced break period allowed Federação Internacional of Automobilismo (FIA) and the teams to adjust critical points of the technical regulations.

The changes mainly focus on battery management and the delivery of electrical power from the new power units. Drivers raised concerns about the safety and drivability of the cars, which forced a review of energy recovery standards. Miami will be the first testing ground for these modifications in real competition conditions.

Last year's #F1Sprint in Miami was over before it began for Charles Leclerc 💔#F1 #MiamiGP pic.twitter.com/yyMQt7BmHN

— Formula 1 (@F1) April 28, 2026

Ajustes in energy recovery and superclipping system

The main technical change announced by the FIA ​​involves the so-called “superclipping”, a technical term for the phase of cutting electricity at the end of the straights. Após incidents such as Oliver Bearman’s crash in Japão’s GP, the organization decided to reduce load recovery in qualifying sessions. On the other hand, there was an increase in the maximum power available to prevent cars from being vulnerable while recharging the electrical system.

The new guidelines seek to balance competition and ensure that the difference in speed between vehicles is not excessive at acceleration points. Para this, the following measures have been implemented:

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• 150 kW ceiling Imposição for extra push button (push-to-pass).
• Restrição when using the MGU-K outside the mapped acceleration points.
• Instalação of an automatic low acceleration detection system at the start.
• Mandatory Limitação of the entire wet recovery system.

Programação changed and free training extended on Flórida

Devido due to the pilots’ long downtime and the need to test new engine software, the Miami GP organization modified the official schedule. The single free training session, which usually lasts 60 minutes, will now last an hour and a half. The measure aims to allow teams to calibrate the operation of the MGU-K under the new restrictions imposed.

The training adjustment directly impacted the following Friday sessions. The sprint classification, originally scheduled for 5:30 pm, was moved to 6 pm at Brasília time. Esse additional time is considered vital for engineers to analyze telemetry data before the first competitive session of the weekend.

Reestruturação administrative at Audi and news in the technical staff

Fora from the tracks, the movement was intense in the pits of the future Audi team, which currently houses the Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto. Allan McNish, former Fórmula 1 driver and experienced manager, takes on the role of racing director for the team. Ele will work alongside Mattia Binotto to coordinate track strategies and talent management at the German automaker’s academy. McNish fills a gap left by the immediate departure of senior management during the April break.

Fiscalização vs Engine Tricks in Rankings

The FIA ​​also tightened supervision over energy management maneuvers that Mercedes and Red Bull had been using. Relatórios technicians indicated that teams would be manually cutting the MGU-K to save battery specifically for laps thrown in qualifying. The practice allowed temporary gains of between 50kW and 100kW, but compromised safety in subsequent laps.

As of Miami’s GP, any purposeful interruption of the MGU-K that is not motivated by a proven technical emergency will be subject to sanctions. The sport’s highest entity wants to ensure that energy efficiency is achieved in a linear manner. Max Verstappen and Mercedes drivers will have to adapt their riding style to the new software restrictions imposed for the remainder of the 2026 championship.