FIA trims 2027 Grand Prix length to 290km and adds hard-stop race timer

The FIA’s F1 Commission convened in London and voted to reduce all Formula 1 race distances for the 2027 calendar, shifting the target from 305 km to about 290 km, which translates to a loss of two to three laps depending on the circuit. This adjustment aligns with the increased fuel-flow limits introduced in the 2026 technical regulation package. Formal approval by the World Motor Sport Council is still required, though it is expected to be a formality.

In parallel, the governing body will discard the existing three-hour overall time ceiling for races disrupted by rain or other factors, instituting a "hard stop" that ends all on-track activity at a set time, while retaining a two-hour cap on actual racing. Officials also announced that practice sessions may now be extended more readily when interrupted, a flexibility previously limited to sprint weekends. The reforms aim to preserve a full-race experience for spectators despite potential delays.