FIA confirms 2026 testing schedule amid new regulations

The FIA introduces stricter TPC testing rules for 2025, impacting young driver opportunities with older F1 cars.

The FIA has clarified several details regarding testing opportunities for young drivers using previous years’ cars, set to take effect in 2025. Numerous regulations are evolving to provide more structured oversight for private testing during the year when the new rules are introduced.

Following the World Motor Sport Council meeting, the FIA also confirmed that the 2026 pre-season tests will consist of three three-day sessions, allowing teams to adapt to cars featuring active aerodynamics and new engine configurations.

From next season onwards, young driver testing will be restricted, and the number of TPC (Testing of Previous Cars) sessions—those using cars at least two years old—will be reduced. The FIA’s objective is to ensure these tests benefit young drivers more than regular team drivers. For instance, Mercedes and Alpine utilised this format for Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Jack Doohan, who are both future race drivers.

The FIA has decided to cap TPC sessions at 20 days per year, with a limit of 1,000 kilometres across four days for officially contracted race drivers. No specific mileage limit applies to other drivers.

Additionally, testing on circuits within two months of a Grand Prix at the same venue will be prohibited, to prevent teams from using TPC sessions to gather data for upcoming races. Furthermore, teams will be banned from testing on circuits that have undergone modifications since the previous Grand Prix.

However, it will also be forbidden to test on tracks that have been off the calendar for several years. If a circuit wasn’t on the previous year’s schedule, testing sessions will not be permitted there.