Lawson urges safety focus as FIA confirms Miami qualifying rule tweaks

The FIA will debut its first 2026‑era rule changes at the Miami Grand Prix, aimed at safety and qualifying. Liam Lawson says the tweaks – cutting lap‑by‑lap energy regeneration, raising peak super‑clipping power and capping boost‑mode output – should make cars safer and nicer to drive.

Why it matters:

• Safety: The boost‑mode power cap curbs closing speeds, directly addressing crashes like Oliver Bearman’s Suzuka incident.
• Qualifying: Reducing allowed energy regeneration eliminates the lift‑and‑coast tactic, letting drivers stay on the throttle for a full lap.

The details:

• Energy regeneration limit – FIA will lower max kinetic‑energy recovery per lap, cutting lift‑and‑coast opportunities.
• Super‑clipping power boost – peak power when the engine is fully opened will rise, cutting battery recharge time between laps.
• Boost‑mode ceiling – a strict cap on extra power in race trim keeps closing speeds manageable and improves start‑line safety.

What's next:

• Miami debut – teams will run the new limits next weekend, giving FIA real‑world data on safety and qualifying.
• Future tweaks – Lawson expects the rules to evolve, targeting safer, easier‑to‑drive cars as the 2026 package matures.