F1 race distance: 290km for 2027 only, 305km returns in 2028
The newly published 2027 F1 regulations contain a "Changes for 2028" section that returns the minimum grand prix distance to 305km in 2028. The 290km cut approved in September is therefore a one-season measure for 2027 only. Until the end of this season, including this Sunday's United States GP in Austin, the 305km standard stays in force.
What the regulations say
According to RacingNews365, the clause is Article B2.5.2 of the 2027 regulations, published after the latest World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) meeting. The wording quoted by GPFans defines race distance as "the least number of complete laps which exceed a distance of 305km". Monaco is an exception, keeping its own 260km reference.
In 2027 the standard distance drops from 305km to 290km, roughly 15km or 5%. Grande Premio says that removes two or three laps at most circuits, giving Austin as an example: 56 laps down to 53.
Why cut for one season only
All three outlets give the same reason: fuel. From 2027 the combustion/electric split of the power units moves from 53/47 in 2026 to 58/42, with 60/40 targeted for 2028, RacingNews365 reported. More combustion output means more fuel burned per race. The new cars were designed around the 50/50 split of 2026, so fitting bigger fuel tanks would need a major chassis redesign at significant cost. Shortening the race lets teams get through 2027 without that. Grande Premio reported that all 11 teams backed the shorter distance.
Grande Premio also set out the 2028 power unit figures. Maximum combustion output goes from 400kW in 2026 to 420kW in 2027 and about 450kW in 2028, while maximum MGU-K output falls from 350kW in 2026 to 300kW in 2027 and 2028. Fuel energy flow is listed as baseline, +5% and +13%, with a caution that these figures are not a direct measure of fuel consumption. These numbers come from that one outlet; RacingNews365 did not mention the 2028 output figures.
Not final yet
The coverage differs in wording. GPFans wrote that the FIA "confirmed" the return to 305km, while Grande Premio described the 2028 clause as proposed and still subject to the formal regulatory process. All three agree that the 2028 distance clause sits in the newly published 2027 regulations. Whether the 2028 rules are final cannot be judged from the articles read.
The fuel tank question also remains open. Grande Premio said the return to 305km could push teams to reconsider tank capacity, but the 2028 provision does not explicitly require bigger tanks, so any change would be an engineering decision.
The shortening itself drew criticism. According to GPFans, Lewis Hamilton said "So shortening, I don't think, makes much sense", arguing that races should be longer because they are physically easier than ever before. He added that tyres now last longer, leading to one-stop races. Grande Premio also noted that other drivers point to the mental workload of energy management under the 2026 rules.
The 2027 regulations also remove the three-hour limit and drop gearbox homologation, both covered in earlier articles.