New Concorde Agreement Signed, Securing F1's Future Through 2030

Formula 1, the FIA, and all 11 teams have signed the new Concorde Governance Agreement, finalizing the sport's foundational rulebook through the end of the 2030 season. The deal, which governs the technical and sporting regulations, completes a two-part process that began with the commercial agreement's signing in March 2025.

Why it matters:

The Concorde Agreement is the binding contract that dictates how Formula 1 operates, from revenue distribution to technical rules. Finalizing this nine-month negotiation ensures stability and alignment among the FIA, commercial rights holder Liberty Media, and the teams as the sport heads into a pivotal era with new technical regulations in 2026. It prevents the political infighting that has historically disrupted the sport and provides a clear framework for the next five years of competition.

The details:

• The agreement is split into two parts: commercial terms and governance. The commercial side, signed in March 2025, covers financial elements like prize money distribution and entry fees.
• The newly signed governance half outlines the sporting and technical regulations, race control procedures, and the operational relationship between the FIA and Formula One Management (FOM).
• Sources described the negotiations as "robust" but conducted in a "spirit of cooperation," marking an improvement in the historically tense relationship between the FIA and FOM.
• A key outcome is increased resources for the FIA to enhance race regulation, stewarding, and technical oversight, addressing past criticisms of inconsistent officiating.

The big picture:

This ninth iteration of the Concorde Agreement arrives at a critical juncture. It provides the necessary stability for teams to invest confidently ahead of the major 2026 regulation overhaul, which includes new power units and chassis rules. The timing coincides with FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem securing a second term, suggesting a period of consolidated leadership to steer the sport through these changes. The deal effectively locks in the current 11-team grid and the fundamental power structure of F1 until the end of the decade.

What's next:

With the foundational contract now settled, the focus shifts entirely to the track and the 2026 regulations. Teams can operate with certainty, and the FIA can implement its planned operational upgrades. The agreement's success will be measured by the smoothness of the 2026 transition and the absence of the governance disputes that have previously overshadowed the on-track competition.