The FIA has introduced a last-minute F1 qualifying rule change ahead of this weekend’s Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix in an effort to reduce super clipping.
The move which reduces the permitted energy-harvesting from 9 megajoules to 8 MJ during qualifying is designed to tackle mounting concerns that the new-era power unit rules were turning flat‑out laps into energy‑management exercises rather than pure performance runs.
In consultation with all power unit manufacturers and teams, the governing body acted swiftly to try to restore the spectacle and integrity of qualifying, ensuring that drivers can push harder without being forced into awkward lift‑and‑coast phases simply to top up their hybrid systems.
Coming into Suzuka circuit where the flowing high‑speed layout traditionally rewards commitment and rhythm, the change is expected to reshape how teams approach both power management and car balance in the most decisive hour of the weekend.
At the core of the decision is the FIA’s desire to recalibrate the balance between energy deployment and driver input in qualifying after data and feedback from the early rounds under the new 2026 F1 regulations highlighted unusual patterns in how drivers were running their hot laps.
Analyses from the first two races in Australia and China showed that some drivers were strategically lifting in specific zones to harvest extra energy, creating what engineers refer to as “super clipping” where the car hits the upper limit of electrical assistance or harvesting at points that compromise the ideal lap.
This phenomenon risked undermining the core premise of qualifying as a flat‑out contest, as lap time could be found as much through software‑driven recharge strategies instead of attacking every apex and kerb on full throttle.
By cutting the recharge allowance from 9 MJ to 8 MJ, the FIA intends to reduce the incentive to run these extreme harvesting profiles, thereby smoothing out power delivery and allowing drivers to focus more on extracting mechanical and aerodynamic grip.
Suzuka is a circuit that demands long, flowing transitions and sustained high‑speed commitment through sectors such as the Esses and 130R, where off‑throttle phases for energy harvesting can be particularly disruptive to tyre temperatures and balance.
Now with only 8 MJ available that trade‑off shifts: lifting in fast corners becomes less attractive because the marginal gain from additional harvested energy is reduced, while the time lost by interrupting the car’s aero and mechanical flow remains substantial.
In theory, that should make it easier for drivers to run nearer to flat‑out profiles around Suzuka, bringing qualifying behaviour closer to what fans traditionally expect from a Saturday showdown.
A statement from the FIA read: “Following discussions between the FIA, F1 teams and Power Unit Manufacturers, a minor adjustment to the energy management parameters for Qualifying at the Japanese GP has been agreed with the unanimous support of all Power Unit Manufacturers.
“To ensure that the intended balance between energy deployment and driver performance is maintained, the maximum permitted energy recharge for Qualifying this weekend has been reduced from 9.0 MJ to 8.0 MJ.
“The minor F1 qualifying rule change reflects feedback from drivers and teams, who have emphasised the importance of maintaining qualifying as a performance challenge.
“The FIA notes that the first events under the 2026 Regulations have been operationally successful, and this targeted refinement is part of the normal process of optimisation as the new regulatory framework is further validated in real-world conditions.
“The FIA, together with F1 teams and Power Unit Manufacturers, continues to embrace evolutions to energy management, with further discussions scheduled in the coming weeks.”
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